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OLD SOUTH CHAPEL 



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PRAYER MEETING: 



ITS. ORIGIN AND HISTORY 



INTERESTING NARRATIVES, AND INSTANCES OF REMARKABLE 
CONVERSIONS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER. 



lame, that^vill I do, that 
— Johx/14: 13. 



And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, thawill I do, that 
the Father may be glorified in the Son. — Joh^44 : 13. 



BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED BY J. E. TILTON k CO. 

1G1 Washington Street. 

1859. 



OF COWO*B»«| 

LjAtHlHOTONj 



i$fa 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by 
J. E. TILTON & CO., 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 



printed i>r 

Oi:n R OF. C . RAND & AVEEY. 



Stereotyped by 

HOBART & ROBBINS, 

>uw England Type and Stereotype Founder)-, 



INTRODUCTION 



The history of the Old South Chapel Prayer- 
Meeting is published at the request of numer- 
ous individuals, who are desirous of preserving 
some record of a meeting which has, with the 
blessing of God, been instrumental of accom- 
plishing more for the advancement of the King- 
dom of Christ than any other similar meeting 
which has ever been held. Its influence has 
extended, to a greater or less extent, over the 
whole country ; and there are persons residing in 
almost every State in the Union who have been 
occasionally present at the meeting, and who 
would, it is believed, be glad to possess a history 
of it from its very commencement. 

In addition to an account of the rise and prog- 
ress of the meeting, the reader will find a pho- 

(3) 



IV INTRODUCTION. 

nograpliic report of one session, including every 
prayer offered, every hymn sung ; and every 
remark made. This has been done for the pur- 
pose of giving the reader the best possible idea 
of the manner in which the meeting is con- 
ducted. 

Various other matters have been introduced, 
such as incidents, facts, relations of experiences, 
answers to prayer, connected with the meeting, 
&c. &c. Also, letters to other prayer-meetings 
in different sections of the country, with the 
answers received. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Spirit of the Meeting, 11 

Park-Street Prayer-Meeting, 16 

First Report of Old South Prayer-Meeting, ..... 32 

Second " " " 39 

Third " " -«« 45 

Fourth " " " 52 

Fifth " " " 58 

Verbatim Report of one Old South Prayer-Meeting, 

held February 19, 1859, 65 

Letter from Portland, 93 

Letter from Old South Meeting to Portland Meeting, . 98 

Reply from Portland, 102 

Another Letter to Portland Meeting, 104 

Letter sent to Richmond, Va., 108 

Subjects of Prayer, 112 

The Revival of 1858, 119 

(6) 



VT CONTEXTS. 

Business Men's Meeting, 1-1 

Anniversary of Business Men's Meeting, 123 

Facts, Incidents, Conversions, etc., 128 

A Whole Family, 128 

Sabbath-school Results, 129 

A Catholic Converted, 129 

The Result of One Visit, 129 

At the Eleventh Hour, 130 

A Convert of Twelve Years, . 130 

Great Addition to a Sabbath-School, 131 

What a Wife can do, 131 

The Power of the Bible, 131 

A Covenant-keeping God, 132 

A Mother's Prayers Answered, 133 

Prayer on Shipboard, 134 

Confession and Conversion, 134 

Conversion of a Truckman, 135 

The Grace of God can Save the Drunkard, .... 137 

Do Pray with me, Father, 138 

A Sister's Praters, 139 

Prayer and the Card-Table, .140 

A Young Convert's First Prayer, . 141 

While he was praying the Blessing came, .... 142 

Too Wicked to Pray, 143 

A Conscience Quickened, 145 

Personal Effort, 146 

Standing up for Jesus, 147 

Conversion and its Results, 147 

Original Hymn by Hodges Reed, 148 

A Countryman Converted, 149 



CONTENTS. VII 

The Cloud Lifted up, 149 

The Deaf and Dumb embracing Christ, 150 

Fear God rather than Max, 151 

Judges and Astronomers, 152 

Before we call, He answers, 152 

None too Wicked, 153 

Converted Warrior, 153 

An Actress Converted, 154 

Drunkard Converted, 154 

What Manufacturers can do, 155 

Farm-School in Portland, 155 

Remember the Clerks, 156 

Whipped for going to the Sunday-School, 156 

God so Loved the World, 157 

Singular Conversion, 157 

Influence of the Meeting, 158 

While he called the Answer came, 158 

The Bible among Catholics, 159 

Conversion of a Catholic Priest, 159 

No Work on the Sabbath, 160 

The Receiving Ship North Carolina, 160 

Thanksgiving, 161 

Interesting Case of Conversion, 162 

The Manner in which the Meeting is Conducted, . 164 

Remember the Stranger, 167 

Answer to Prayer, , 168 

Conversion of a Stable-Keeper, 169 

Brought Back, 169 

The Power of the Grace of God, 1 70 

Conversion of a Man in the Chapel, 178 



VIII CONTENTS. 

Instead op the Theatre, the Prater-Meeting, . . .174 

Striking Answer to Prayer, 175 

The Prater op Faith, . 177 

Meetings at the Globe Dance-Hall, 178 

Conversion at the Inquirt Meetings, 182 

A Husband Converted, 187 

A Daughter and Niece Converted, 191 

A Drunkard Reclaimed, 192 

Conversion op a Sister, 194 

Globe Hall and Tammant Hall, 195 

A Complete Surrender, 196 

Another Conversion at the Chapel, 198 



THE 

OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 



Before giving a history of the Old South 
Prayer-meeting from its very commencement, it 
may be well to give the reader some account 
of the manner in which it is conducted, and of 
the spirit which seems to pervade those who 
attend it. 

The meeting is held every morning, Sunday 
excepted, in the Old South Chapel, in Spring- 
lane, commencing in the warm season at eight 
o'clock, and in the cold season at half-past eight 
o'clock. It continues one hour only. The ut- 
most promptness is observed in commencing and 
closing. No one is allowed to continue his 
remarks when the hour for closing has arrived. 
The time allotted to each speaker is three min- 
utes, and those who conduct the meeting are 
expected to enforce this rule except in special 
cases. The leader of the meeting is allowed ten 

(?) 



10 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

minutes to open it, including prayer, reading of 
Scriptures, singing, and remarks. Formerly, the 
brother who took charge one day was expected 
to secure some one to conduct it the following 
day. Within the last year or two, a committee 
has been appointed which has the control of the 
meeting in all its appointments. This committee 
secures some one to be responsible for the meet- 
ing each day in the week for a number of months 
at a time, and he must either take charge of it 
himself or see that some one is provided. In 
this way, the meeting is never left without a 
leader. The rules are placed upon the table, so 
that the leader may see them. A little bell is 
also provided, which he is expected to use when 
necessary in enforcing the three-minute rule. 

UNION. 

All evangelical denominations unite in the 
meetings, and during the eight years which it has 
existed the most delightful harmony has pre- 
vailed. There is a general understanding that 
no controverted points in theology shall be dis- 
cussed, and that all denominational peculiarities 
shall be avoided. If, occasionally, a stranger, not 
knowing that the meeting is composed of all de- 
nominations of Christians, introduces some denom- 
inational matter, no notice is taken of it, and the 
meeting goes on without interruption. Occasion- 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 11 

ally, a Methodist present may be heard to say 
"Amen." With this exception, one could hardly 
tell to what denomination of Christians those 
present belonged. 

THE SPIRIT OF THE MEETING. 

It has been remarked by strangers who have 
attended the meeting for the first time, that the 
atmosphere of the Old South Chapel was pecu- 
liar. They had hardly entered the room before 
they were convinced that the place was pervaded 
with the sacred influences of the Holy Spirit. 
Hundreds who have spent a few days in Boston 
have said, as they left, that they never before at- 
tended such meetings ; and, with tears in their 
eyes, they blessed God that they had had the op- 
portunity. Xearly every morning, some stranger 
rises and says, in substance, "I have heard of 
this meeting, but never before had the privilege to 
attend it. I thought you had good meetings, and 
I rejoice to be here. I feel that I have been bene- 
fited, and I shall go home and tell my brethren 
about it. I hope these meetings will always con- 
tinue ; for you cannot tell, brethren, what an in- 
fluence you are exerting all over the country. We 
look to you for information : and when the Spirit 
of the Lord is with you, and we hear of conver- 
sions, we are encouraged." 

Similar remarks have been made by hundreds. 



12 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

and, for aught we know, by thousands, who, hav- 
ing caught the spirit of the meeting, have gone 
home to labor and pray with increased energy 
and zeal in the cause of their Master. All seem 
to be of one heart and one mind. There is a re- 
markable blending together of those who attend. 
While certain rules are necessary for the govern- 
ment of the meeting, in which all acquiesce, still 
there is perfect freedom. No one seeks for 
superiority. There is a common platform for all. 
The rich and the poor are there together, all one 
in Christ Jesus. The most humble laborer in the 
vineyard of the Lord, from any quarter of the 
wide world, is welcome. • 

The leader of the meeting seldom reads more 
than eight or ten verses of scripture, and if he 
comments at all upon them, he is very brief. 
The singing is led by any one who chances to be 
present. A hymn is given out at the commence- 
ment, and after that verses of familiar hymns are 
voluntarily struck up by any who feel disposed. 
This is one of the most interesting exercises of 
the meeting, and one in which nearly the whole 
congregation participate. 

There is a general understanding that on Mon- 
day morning special opportunity will be given 
for the communication of religious intelligence ; 
consequently, there is more religious news pre- 
sented on that morning than on any other. Cler 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 13 

gymen from abroad are often present, and they 
are called upon, if they do n.ot rise voluntarily, to 
take part in the meeting. 

On Saturday, the Jews are especially remem- 
bered in the prayers, and interesting intelligence 
is often presented respecting the work of the 
Lord among them. Occasionally, converted Jews 
have been present, which has added very much to 
the interest of the meeting Rev. Dr. Jenks, who 
has always felt a deep interest in their welfare, 
has often given very valuable information re- 
specting them, which has quickened the faith 
of God's people, and incited them to earnest 
prayer in their behalf. 

The Old South Prayer-meeting has been a 
religious exchange. The audience has not been 
confined to the people of Boston and its suburbs. 
Christians from all parts of New England, the 
country, and even the world, have been accus- 
tomed to meet at this place. In this way religious 
intelligence has been received from every sec- 
tion. Missionaries, upon their arrival in Boston, 
find their way into the meeting. English and 
Scotch ministers who occasionally have visited 
Boston have sought out the Old South Prayer- 
meeting, and have contributed their part to the 
general stock of religious news which is commu- 
nicated from week to week. There is probably 
no place in the world where one can obtain so 



14 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

large an amount of information pertaining to the 
progress of Christ's kingdom as at the Old South 
Chapel. Within the eight years during which 
this meeting has been established, disciples of 
Christ from nearly every State in the Union, and 
from almost every quarter of the globe where 
the standard of Christ has been reared, have been 
present, and given in many instances the most 
cheering accounts of conversions and the up- 
building of the Redeemer's cause in the localities 
where they have labored. 

Those who have attended the meeting for the 
last two or three years will not forget the visits, 
nor the fervent prayers and earnest addresses, of 
Rev. Dr. Armstrong, and his son-in-law, Rev. E. 
G-. Beckwith, the President of Oahu College, both 
from the Sandwich Islands. The names of many 
others might be mentioned, whose addresses and 
prayers have tended greatly to strengthen the 
faith of the Christians in Boston who so constantly 
have been present in the Old South Chapel. 

But the most cheering intelligence which has 
been communicated to the meeting, and which 
has tended, perhaps, as much as anything to in- 
duce its supporters to continue to sustain it, has 
been the statement of the conversions of individ- 
uals, and of revivals of religion in distant places, 
which have been traced directly to the meeting. 
The influence w r hich the meeting has exerted in 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. ■ 15 

inducing others to start similar meetings, and in 
infusing new life into individual Christians from 
abroad, who have gone home to wake up their 
slumbering brethren, is worthy of notice. 

But, without further details pertaining to the 
meeting, — details which will be found in their 
appropriate place in the book, such as records 
of conversions traceable to the meeting, inci- 
dents and facts related at different times, <fec. 
<fec, — we proceed to give a history of the meet- 
ing in its rise and progress. 



HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH PRAYER- 
MEETING. 



The Old South Prayer-meeting is so intimately 
connected with a prayer-meeting held in the 
vestry of Park-street Church for a number of 
years previous to the commencement of the for- 
mer, that it becomes necessary to give, first, a 
brief history of the latter. 

Through the kindness of Rev. Dr. Jenks, 
who has been a regular attendant at the Old 
South meeting almost from its commencement, 
and who has been for a number of years its Sec- 
retary, we are enabled, from the records he has 
in his possession, to give some account of the 
Park-street meeting. It should be borne in 
mind that this was not a union meeting, although 
it is believed that the Old South Chapel meeting 
grew out of it. 

It appears that four annual reports were pre- 
sented of the meeting. The first was made and 
read at the meeting held in Park-street vestry ^ 
March 3d, 1841, by the late much lamented Dan- 

(16) 



OLD SOUTH PRAYEK-MEETIXG. 17 

iel Safford and F. Andrews, who were a commit- 
tee appointed for the purpose. The second is 
signed, for the committee, by Rev. Seth Bliss. 
The third report has no signature, but is evi- 
dently in the hand-writing of Mr. Bliss. The 
fourth is signed by Rev. Mr. Bliss. The Park- 
street meeting was commenced March 3rd, 1840. 
It had its origin in a state of feeling created by 
the cheering religious intelligence presented from 
all quarters during the winter and spring of that 
year. The principal portion of the first record 
made of this meeting we give below : 

" So striking were the manifestations of the 
power of the Holy Spirit in other places, that the 
tidings could not fail to excite in Christians the 
liveliest gratitude for what God had wrought, and 
the most fervent prayer that this portion of his 
heritage might also be watered with showers of 
divine grace. The meeting has been continued 
throughout the year without intermission, and 
there are none, probably, who have been permit- 
ted to attend, who will not bear witness that 
it has been l good to be here. 7 

" While we have seen in the city no remarka- 
ble outpouring of the Spirit, yet there has been 
constant and accumulating evidence that God 
was doing his own work among us, and it is a 
source of devout gratitude that so many had been 
inclined and enabled, daily, to come up to the 
2 



18 OLD SOUTH PBAYER-MEETING. 

house of God in company, to open God's holy 
word, to mingle their sympathies and praises, and 
to unite their hearts in the morning sacrifice of 
prayer. 

" It would of course be impossible to point out, 
in detail, the influence which has been exerted 
by this meeting. There can be no doubt that 
that influence has been altogether salutary, both 
upon Christians in exciting them to duty, and 
upon the impenitent in leading them to the Sav- 
iour of souls. Eternity alone can develop the 
results, and reveal to us the answers of God to 
the prayers, which, from morning to morning, 
have gone up from the altar, as we trust, in sin- 
cerity and faith. 

"The admissions to the churches during the 
year ending March 2nd, have been as follows : 

By Profession. By Letter. 

Park-street Church, 63 19 

Essex-street " 46 .18 

Salem-street " 50 80 

Franklin-st. « 41 33 

Bowdoin-st. " 36 17 

Pine-st. " 16 10 

Green-st. " 22 — 

Old South « 10 13 

284 140 

Total, 424. . 

" It is believed that a spirit of prayer has been 
imbibed by these united meetings, which has been 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 19 

carried back to the individual churches ; and that 
there has been, during the past year, an increased 
amount of prayer, if not a greater degree of im- 
portunate, believing supplication for the prosper- 
ity of Zion, and the salvation of souls. 

u Nor has the influence of the meeting, in 
this respect, been confined to this city. So 
numerous have been the visits of strangers to the 
meeting, that its spirit must have been carried 
extensively abroad. It is known that in other 
places, similar daily meetings have been com- 
menced after the example of this. In March last, 
a clergyman from a neighboring city, having at- 
tended one of these morning meetings, took an 
early opportunity, after his return to his people, 
to acquaint them with the establishment of this 
meeting, and with the spirit which he had here 
witnessed. The communication aroused an imme- 
diate interest among them. A day of fasting and 
prayer was observed, and subsequently, within 
three months, forty persons were added to that 
church, all of whom, excepting two, were 
awakened at that time. 

" A beloved member of one of these churches 
was, the last week, very suddenly removed from 
# us by death. She had been a constant attendant 
on these meetings ; and one morning, recently, 
as she was passing out, she said to a friend, 
1 How delightful is it to meet in this way for 



20 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

prayer every day ! These are precious meetings, 
and this place now seems to me the dearest spot 
on earth/ Much of her time, during the last 
weeks of her life, was spent in prayer, her most 
earnest desire being for the descent of the Holy 
Spirit upon this city. Her death, though very 
sudden, was remarkably peaceful and happy. 

" In October last, it was suggested that alms 
should accompany our prayers. A weekly con- 
tribution has since been made, and up to this 
date, the sum of $174.58 has been collected. 
This has been disbursed as follows : To the sex- 
ton for services, $72.00 ; for fuel, $37.50, and to 
pay the balance of Deacon Thwing's salary as 
city missionary, $67.17; by which a balance is due 
to the treasurer of $2.09. 

(" Signed) Daniel Safford, ) ^ 

F. Andrews, j om# 

"Boston, March Zd, 1841." 

The following extract is made from the second 
record, which was read March 3d, 1842. This 
gives some more details about the origin of the 
meeting : 

" Two years have now elapsed since the daily 
meeting for prayer was commenced, and we have 
entered this morning upon the third year. It 
had its origin with a few brethren, who were 
impressed with the importance and necessity of 
more special and united prayer for the revival of 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 21 

religion in this city. By the suggestion of one 
of these brethren, at the close of the monthly 
concert in March, 1840, a few agreed to meet in 
this vestry the next morning for prayer, and to 
consider the proposal to establish this meeting. 
The proposal was then adopted. Those present 
agreed to attend, when not providentially pre- 
vented. Kules were adopted for the regulation 
of the meeting. It was agreed that the special 
object of the meeting should be to pray for the 
influences of the Holy Spirit upon the city. This 
important object has, to a good degree, been the 
burden of the prayers daily offered here. At 
each meeting, a short portion of the Scriptures 
has been read, from three to five prayers of- 
fered, a few verses sung, and from ten to fifteen 
minutes allotted to the communication of appro- 
priate religious intelligence and remarks. The 
number attending during the year has varied 
from thirty to three hundred. On no morning 
has the meeting been omitted during the year, 
except on Sabbath morning. Several individuals 
have not failed of being present on each morn- 
ing, except when absent from the city. Amount 
of money contributed during the year, $114.71. 
* * * One who was awakened to some sense 
of his danger, and was induced to come in here for 
the first time, and believes he has submitted his 
heart to God, went home and erected the family 



22 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

altar, and now rejoices over three of his children 
converted to Christ. Another, who had no hope, 
was induced by a friend to attend this meeting, 
and here G-od blessed a word fitly spoken to the 
conviction of his own guilt and danger. This 
man established the daily worship of God in his 
house, and now unites with two sons, rejoicing 
with him in the same precious hope. A pastor 
in one of the churches informs us that the con- 
version of several of those who had united with 
his church was unquestionably connected with 
this meeting; and one in particular, and the most 
striking case, was, to his certain knowledge. The 
same pastor says, i This meeting will, I hope, be 
cherished. 7 

" The record of the additions to those churches 
which united in this meeting is given as follows : 

By Profession. By Letter. 

Park-street Church, 29 28 

Essex-st. " 25 33 

Salem-st. " 19 14 

Central " 11 31 

Bowdoin-st. " 16 29 

Pine-st. " 6 

Green-st. " 16 

Old South " 14 10 

Garden-st. « 34 18 

164 169 

Total, 333. 

"All our churches are enjoying at the pres- 
ent time, to a greater or less degree, the reviving 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 23 

influences of the Holy Spirit. Other evangelical 
churches are also enjoying, with us, this rich 
blessing. 

"In view of all that God has done for this city 
the past year, we are called upon, on this occa- 
sion, for special thanksgiving to him. Who would 
regret, in the near view of death and eternity, 
the hours spent in this meeting? Indeed, who of 
us would not then be thankful that we have been 
permitted to enjoy such a privilege for another 
year? Who of us would wish to discontinue 
'this meeting, or be debarred from attending it the 
coming year ? 

" It is desirable, if possible, to make this meet- 
ing more interesting and useful in future. We 
think this is practicable. Greater numbers should 
be induced to attend; and, in order to this, it 
should be conducted with more life, and spiritual- 
ity, and directness, to cherish and increase a 
spirit of devotion. 

" The introductory prayer should be short, and 
simply to invoke the divine presence and bless- 
ing. The portion of scripture read should never 
exceed twelve verses, and should be either de- 
votional or embrace some one appropriate and 
impressive subject. Not more than three or four 
verses should be sung. The prayers should be 
short, never exceeding five minutes, and three 
minutes would generally be better. They should 



24 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

not only be short, but pertinent, embracing not 
more than one or two topics. They should also 
be direct, taking hold at once and earnestly of 
the subject proposed for prayer, or the one most 
important in the mind of him who leads our de- 
votion. It is as unmeaning as it is undevotional, 
in such a meeting, to begin each prayer with a 
long preamble or introduction, and exhaust the 
time before the mind seizes the most important 
and pertinent matter. 

" Directness, earnestness, and simplicity, are the 
most essential elements in prayer, and the most 
effectual means of interesting our own minds, or 
of awakening the spirit of prayer in those who 
unite with us. The examples of prayer given in 
the Bible are a reproof to many long, unmeaning, 
and ineffectual, as well as uninteresting prayers, 
we often hear, and try in vain to unite in. 

"The one term which the Bible uses more fre- 
quently than any other to express to us the true 
idea of prayer is cry and cried. l This poor 
man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved 
him out of all his trouble/ How inappropriate 
and senseless would a long preamble be to pre- 
pare one to cry ! Whatever else it might be or 
mean, it would be no part of the cry. What is 
prayer but the cry of distress and want to Him 
who alone can relieve us ? The prayers in the 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 25 

Bible are remarkable for brevity, simplicity, 
directness, and pleading or argument. 

" As to the manner of the remarks and commu- 
nicating intelligence in this meeting, the interest 
awakened and good done must depend much on 
the pertinence and importance of the subject, and 
the interest which the speaker feels himself in 
what he communicates. 

"In attempting to improve this meeting in 
these respects, it has been suggested that six of 
the deacons should alternately preside and direct 
the exercises, each to preside one morning in each 
week, as may be agreed by them. These breth- 
ren should feel that the responsibility of con- 
ducting the meeting, and giving increased in- 
terest to it, rests on them. Each knowing on 
which morning of the week he must preside, 
would have opportunity to prepare for it. They 
should understand each other's views, and be unit- 
ed in their efforts to maintain and interest the 
meeting. These brethren should each make it a 
special object to be present as far as possible at 
every meeting ; not only to increase their own in- 
terest in it, and derive personal benefit, but also 
that each may know what is done, and thus be 
prepared to direct the meeting at which he is to 
preside with more pertinence. It is also sug- 
gested that requests for special prayer for indi- 
viduals be received from the individuals them- 



26 OLD SOUTH PKAYER-MEETING. 

selves, or from their friends. Should such 
requests be too numerous or inappropriate, the 
presiding officer may select at his discretion. 

" It is also thought that opportunity should be 
given for personal religious conversation with 
those who may desire this. There may often be 
here persons in such a state of mind as to desire 
this, and who have no religious acquaintance or 
relations in the city, or none such as they would 
wish to converse with on such a subject. To 
such, the privilege would be invaluable. Then, 
there may be often those here who wish to be- 
come acquainted with particular individuals who 
usually attend, and who would gladly embrace 
such an opportunity. It is presumed that there 
will always be some Christians here whose en- 
gagements will allow them to tarry for a few 
moments to converse with such as may wish to 
remain for this purpose. 

" * Now to the God whose power can do 
More than our thoughts or wishes know 
Be honor, thanks, and glory, given 
By all on earth and all in heaven.' 

" For the Committee, 

" Seth Bliss. 

" Boston, March, 1842." 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 27 

The Third Annual Keport of the Park-street 
Meeting was read March -4, 1843. The following 
is the substance of it : 

u These meetings have been continued every 
week-day morning since they were established. 

* ■ * -* The attendance during the past year 
has varied considerably, and, on the whole, has 
not, perhaps, equalled that of the year preceding : 
still there have enough been present, even on the 
most stormy days, to claim the blessing promised 
to those who assemble in the name of Christ. 

* * ' * The influence which such a meeting 
exerts is of a character to be felt, not seen. 
There is reason to believe that many individual 
Christians have had their graces quickened, and 
that a spirit of prayer has been kept up among 
those who have came here to pray. The pious 
stranger, visiting the city, has heard of the meet- 
ing, attended it, and perhaps caught the spirit of 
prayer, which he has carried home with him, and 
the result may have been a revival of religion in 
the place from which he came. 

" Some one has remarked that the fact of there 
being such a meeting, was as good as a daily ser- 
mon to those who see individuals going to or re- 
turning from it. They are daily reminded by it 
that some meet to pray and worship God, even if 
the multitude are careless and unconcerned. 

u God is a hearer and an answerer of prayer, 



28 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

and we have reason to believe that he has heard 
the prayers offered here from day to day, and 
from week to week, and year to year ; and bless- 
ings rich and inestimable have descended upon 
this city in consequence. We believe, too, that he 
will still hear the cries of his children, and again 
return to bless these churches with the influ- 
ences of the Holy Spirit." 

Then follows a list of additions to the Orthodox 
Congregational churches for the year, as follows : 

By Profession. By Letter. Total. 

Old South, 36 8 .... 44 

Park-street, .... 73 29 .... 102 

Essex-street, .... 38 ...... 19 .... 57 

Bowdoin-street, ... 115 28 .... 143 

Central 107 70 .... 177 

Salem-street, .... 121 31 .... 152 

Pine-street, 47 24 .... 71 

Green-street, .... 43 6 .... 49 

Garden-street, .... 69 31 .... 100 

New Church, Mr. Kirk's, 

since June, .... 28 48 ... . 76 

Mariner's, 29 2 .... 31 

East Boston, ~) q -, 9 o 

South Boston, 5 * " * * * * " * 1 

Total, 715 . ... 310 . . . 1025 

" The admissions by profession, as compared 
with the two previous years, to the nine churches 
then reported, are as follows : 1841 (8 churches), 
284; 1842 (9 churches), 164; 1843 (9 churches), 
649. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 29 

" During the year, Rev. A. A. Phelps was in- 
stalled as pastor over the Maverick Church, in 
East Boston. Rev. Austin Phelps was ordained 
pastor of Pine-street Church in March last, 
that church having been without a pastor for 
eighteen months previous. In June last, a new 
church was organized in this city, and Rev. E. N. 
Kirk installed as pastor. Of the forty-seven per- 
sons who voluntarily associated themselves to- 
gether for this purpose, thirty-eight were dis- 
missed from the churches here represented, as 
follows : From Bowdoin-st., 22 ; Union Church, 
9 ; Park-st., 3 ; Old South, 2 ; Central, 1 ; Salem- 
street, 1. 

" Rev. Mr. Patten has been ordained as pastor 
of Phillips Church, South Boston, in place of 
Rev. Mr. Fairchild. 

"New Orthodox Congregational churches have 
been organized in East and West Cambridge dur- 
ing the year where none existed, and members 
have been dismissed to form them, in part, from 
the different churches in this city. We believe 
that the progress of evangelical sentiments in 
this city is regular, from year to year. A recent 
count of the numbers attending the various 
churches, Orthodox Congregational, in the city 
on the Sabbath, shows the gratifying fact that 
the number attending the thirteen societies 
was more by one hundred and ten, than those 



30 OLD SOUTH PKAYER-MEETIXG. 

attending the seventeen Unitarian places of wor- 
ship. 

13 Orthodox Congregational, 6851 

17 Unitarian, 6741—110. 

" A contribution has been made, once a week, 
for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the 
room ; and sometimes for specific objects. The 
amount contributed for the year is, in all, $141.64. 

Paid Sexton for opening the room, $72.00. 
Park-street Society, in part, for fuel, 15.80." 

This report was not signed. 

The fourth and last report was read in March, 
1844. We make a few extracts only : 

" The average attendance the present year 
has been less, it is believed, than in any former 
year. One more Congregational church, the 
North Union Church, has been organized. About 
ninety members were dismissed from the Salem- 
street Church, and formed into the New Church. 
Rev. J. H. Towne has been dismissed from his 
pastoral charge of the Salem-street Church, and 
recently installed pastor of the New Church, 
leaving the Salem-street Church at present with- 
out a pastor. 

" No revival of religion has prevailed among 
the Orthodox Congregational churches, as the 
following statement painfully shows.' 7 

The additions are then given as follows : 



OLD SOUTH PEAYER-JIEETIXG. 



31 







Bj 


Profession. 


By Letter. 


Total 


Old South Church, . . 5 . . 


. 7 . . 


. 12 


Park-street, . . . 


. . 6 . . 


. . 15 . . 


. . 21 


Essex-street, . . 






. 8 . . . 


.16 . . . 


. 24 


Bowdoin-street, 






. . 9 . . 


. 7 . . 


. . 16 


Salem, .... 






. 10 . . 


. 8 . . 


. . 18 


Pine, .... 






.21 . . 


. . 3 . . 


. . 24 


Green, .... 






. 6 . . 


. . 4 . . 


. . 10 


Central, . . . 






.16 . . 


.23 . . 


. . 39 


Seamen's, . . 






. . 1 . . 


. .— . . 


. . 1 


Garden-street, 






. . 4 . . 


. . 9 . . 


. . 13 


Mount Vernon, 






. .43 . . 


. .85 . . 


. .128 


South Boston, ) nn «^«* 
> no report. 
East Boston, ) 










Whole number admitted by profess 


ion, . . . 


. . 123. 


By letter, 




. . 173. 


Total, 




. .296. 



" The number added the past year is about seven 
times less than the year previous, and less than 
on any year since this meeting commenced. 

"It should be considered, in connection with 
the number received last year, that probably 
5000 deathless souls have been added to the 
population of the city, and from 10,000 to 
15,000 since the meeting commenced." 

The report then alludes to the delightful har 
mony which prevailed among the churches. It 
was signed by Rev. Seth Bliss, for the committee. 

No other record of this meeting was made, and 
it was soon after discontinued. We now com- 
mence the history of the Old South Prayer- 
Meeting, and transfer, entire, the reports made 



32 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 

by Rev. Dr. Jenks. The first is as follows, and 
the dates and facts connected with its commence- 
ment may be relied upon as correct. It is dated 
Dec. 30, 1844, four years after the meeting was 
established. 

FIRST REPORT OF THE OLD SOUTH PRAYER- 
MEETING. 

Early in the spring of 1844, was presented 
the last annual report of a prayer-meeting which 
had been held in the vestry of Park-street for 
four preceding years. That report, after the 
manner of the former ones, recapitulated the 
accession of members made to the respective 
churches concerned in the meeting, and these 
were of the Congregational order. 

From the comparison which this last report 
made with the statements of preceding years, the 
painful fact appeared, that, on the whole, the 
work of God's Spirit had been less apparent 
than heretofore, and that fewer souls had been 
gathered into the churches. Forty-three was 
the largest number, by original profession, and 
these were united to the Mount Vernon Church. 

There appears no record of meetings for 
prayer of a similar kind after 1844 ; but there 
was a succession of such meetings in the chapel 
of Mount Vernon Church during the absence of 
the Reverend pastor in Europe in 1847 ; yet this 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 33 

was marked by another feature — that of union in 
prayer among Christians of different denomina- 
tions. It arose in coincidence with efforts for 
such union made in England, and was continued 
for several months, producing, it is believed, a 
happy effect on those who enjoyed the privilege 
of attending. 

After this season, a considerable time elapsed 
without any special effort being made on the 
principle of union in prayer between different 
churches. That meetings for the purpose were 
held in churches, by themselves alone, is not 
doubted ; nor that they enjoyed the gracious 
presence of Him who has declared, " where two 
or three are gathered together in my name, there 
am I in the midst of them." But, although here 
and there particular churches were, in a good 
degree, blessed with hopeful increase, no general 
revival of a spirit of vital religion was witnessed 
in Boston. 

In the autumn of 1850, two Christian breth- 
ren, one of Park-street, the other of Essex-street 
Church, engaged in serious conversation respect- 
ing the state of religion in the city, lamenting 
the condition of the churches : one, our departed 
friend and beloved brother in Christ, the Rev. 
Louis Dwight ; the other, our Christian brother 
Blanchard, still happily lives. Mr. Dwight has 
been peculiarly a man of prayer. It is believed 
3 



34 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

that with him originated the very important 
prayer-meeting for colleges, which is now so ex- 
tensively observed on the last Thursday of Feb- 
ruary, annually. These brethren conferred with 
others, and there resulted a determination to 
hold a united prayer-meeting, more especially to 
seek the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the 
city, its churches and its inhabitants generally. 
The resolution was soon carried into effect; and 
now, for four successive years, and more, the 
meeting has been held, by the kind permission of 
the Old South Church and religious society, in 
the place where it first assembled, beneath the 
roof of their chapel — sometimes, indeed, in the 
vestry or committee room, at others in the ehapel 
itself. 

To this meeting have resorted not only Con- 
gregationalists, but our Baptist, Methodist, Epis- 
copalian, and Presbyterian brethren, and have 
been cordially welcomed. The spirit that has 
prevailed in it has been at the furthest remove 
from sectarianism ; and the utmost liberty, con- 
sistent with Christian order, has been enjoyed in 
the remarks which any individual might deem it 
proper to make. The chair has been occupied 
by brethren invited at each previous meeting, 
and held by no religious denomination consec- 
utively. A lovely spirit of harmony has ap- 
peared to prevail, and those who have been able 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 35 

to attend most constantly have professed most 
strongly their attachment to the meeting, and 
their appreciation of its privileges. 

Some of those who have attended, either occa- 
sionally or statedly, and taken an active part in 
the services, have been called away by death, and 
have joined, as we trust, " the general assembly 
and church of the first-born." Colonel Vinson 
was one of these, and his name is precious to 
many survivors. Another was Chris. Dean, Treas- 
urer of the Sabbath-School Society. A third was 
Rev. N. W. Williams, of the Baptist communion. 
Rev. Dr. Bates, formerly president of Middle- 
bury College, was a fourth. Mr. Hersey, a mem- 
ber of the city-watch, a pious, devoted man, whose 
heart felt for sinners, and for all the destitute, 
was a fifth. Mr. D wight, who has been mentioned, 
was a sixth, and his death has been deeply felt. 
He had been accustomed to collect and compare 
the statistics of religious bodies of men, as well 
as those which related to his own particular pur- 
view of duty, as Secretary of the Prison Discipline 
Society for the last thirty years ; and from him 
we expected accounts of revivals in other cities 
and towns of our own country, as well as exhort- 
ations to Christian duty in reference to the poor, 
and the various suffering classes of the commu- 
nity. For his successor we thus far look in vain. 
The Lord in mercy raise up many such, of large, 
self-denying, Christian benevolence ! 



36 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

The seventh and last instance of death was 
that of the Rev. Mr. Farnsworth. His attachment 
to the meeting grew stronger and stronger. 
While officiating as a chaplain of one of the 
houses of our Legislature, it was his pleasure to 
attend frequently, and he has told us that after 
his residence had been changed to the place 
where he closed his useful life, he has journeyed 
in the morning thirty miles to meet us. 

Beside those who have been removed by 
death, one, our Brother Palmer, of South Boston, 
was disabled by a fall, during the last winter, and is 
still confined, suffering a paralysis of the lower 
limbs. But his mind has been unaffected, and his 
interest in this prayer-meeting has been evinced 
habitually in his affectionate inquiries made of. 
the brethren who have visited him in his sick- 
ness. 

Some months ago, the subscriber was appoint- 
ed by the meeting, in connection with the late 
lamented Mr. Dwight, to prepare a report con- 
cerning it. To this Mr. Dwight was unable to 
give attention afterward, and it has been omitted 
until now, when at the approach of another year. 
It has borne with considerable weight on the mind 
of the surviving member of that committee, who 
offers this narrative with a few further observa- 
tions. 

The special design of our prayer-meeting has 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 37 

been stated to be, " to pray for the revival of 
religion, in the outpouring of the Spirit on the 
inhabitants of this city." It is natural to inquire 
what have been the perceptible results, and what 
answers have we obtained. 

And what are we to reply ? These have been, 
assuredly, no general revival of religion in this 
city, like that, for instance, of 1827. But Ave 
have witnessed a movement, the like of which 
was never known by our fathers. The associa- 
tions of young men for purposes of religious or 
benevolent effort, and the invitation from them 
to the ministers of the Gospel to give stated 
religious instruction, on which they attend in 
crowds — who shall say how much good this has 
effected, or how much evil it has hindered ? The 
enlargement, too, of the city mission institution, 
and its efficiency among the poor and destitute, 
have been observable and exceedingly gratifying 
during the period. The opportunity given to 
Christian strangers to enter our meeting and de- 
clare what God has wrought in the field of their 
own observation — what a privilege has this been ! 
And how have our hearts burned within us, when 
fervid exhortations have been addressed to us, or 
we have joined with those w T ho have offered their 
fervid petitions for us ! Some of these seasons 
we shall probably very long remember to our 
profit. 



38 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

God is pleased to answer the prayers of bis 
people in his own way and time. The efficacy 
of these prayers eternity alone may be left to 
show. But that " men ought always to pray and 
not to faint " is acknowledged Christian duty — 
and it is Christian privilege, too. 

The meeting has admitted, occasionally, spe- 
cial requests. Notes have been presented, as 
in the public assemblies on the Sabbath, for per- 
sons needing relief either spiritual or tempo- 
ral. It has happily been found impracticable to 
confine the privilege of access to the throne of 
grace to one single object, with whatever sense 
of infinite importance the work of the Spirit lias 
been supplicated. That work of the Spirit has 
been felt, apparently, to be necessary to the de- 
velopment of God's plan of mercy, not only 
towards the comparatively small community of 
our own personal connection, but equally to all 
parts of the earthly dominion of God. It is the 
coming of His kingdom, the doing of His will, 
the accomplishment of His gracious promises, 
and that in submission to His infinite wisdom, 
which, as Christians, we are bound to seek, and 
which Christians will seek. And, whether the an- 
swers to prayer be given in Burmah or the Sand- 
wich Islands, in India, China, or Japan, or our 
own Western States and Territories, the glory of 
God in the salvation of souls will, when known, 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 39 

not only gladden the hearts of true believers on 
earth, but excite new praises among the hosts of 

heayen - Wm. Jenks, 

Surviving member of the Committee for present- 
ing a Report. 

(Read at the meeting, and accepted, Saturday 
morning, Dec. 30th, 1854.) 

" At a subsequent meeting, W. J. was chosen 
its permanent Secretary, and desired to hold cor- 
respondence, occasionally, with such as elsewhere 
held similar meetings." 

This finishes the first record which was made 
at the Old South Meeting. It must be born in 
mind that it was made four years after the meet- 
ing was established. The second, third, fourth 
and fifth records, or reports, were made by Rev. 
Dr. Jenks, and were read at the meeting. The 
following are exact copies : 

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MORNING 
PRAYER-MEETING.. AT THE OLD SOUTH CHAP- 
EL. Read December 29, 1855. 

At the closing of another year, it may not be 
unprofitable, and will probably have been ex- 
pected, that we take a review, however slight and 
brief, of what has transpired during its course, 
in reference to our morning assemblies for prayer. 



40 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

The anniversary, indeed, of the institution of 
them, or rather their resuscitation, occurred on 
the 4th of the month. But the close of the year, 
transferring us to another division of passing • 
life, seemed the fittest period for the service. 

Let us, then, solemnly inquire into the results. 
These, it would seem likely, may profitably divide 
themselves into outward and visible changes, and 
those which are internal. 

,With respect to the former, which, as observed 
in the last year's report, partake of the special 
design of this meeting, in the minds of its found- 
ers, in 1850 ; namely, to pray for the outpouring 
of the Holy Spirit on the inhabitants of this city, 
that religion may be revived in its power through- 
out the churches ; or, to speak in a manner more 
consonant with the spirit of Christian union, 
within the church of Christ, in its different 
branches among us; we have, thus far, experi- 
enced nothing of a very peculiar nature. Some, 
indeed, of the churches have received considera- 
ble additions, especially that of Mount Vernon ; 
but there has been no such movement of public 
feeling as marked the years 1792, 1827, and 1842. 
And yet the conviction seems to increase, that 
for the prosperity of the cause among us, such a 
work of grace is necessary ; and the question 
has been reverently asked, "Is it not time for 
thee, Lord, to. work?" It has appeared, doubt- 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 41 

less, to us, the appropriate time. But "the times 
and the seasons the Father has kept in his own 
power." Notwithstanding, however, Boston, this 
" city of our solemnities/' has not been specially 
visited in the desired manner, we have had oc- 
casion, in the course of the year, to recount with 
gratitude the stately goings of our God in other 
places. 

Plymouth, the oldest settlement in Massachu- 
setts, and endeared to every religious or serious 
reader of our history, has experienced a memo- 
rable display of Divine Grace. About one hun- 
dred and thirty individuals within the town itself, 
and between thirty and forty in a town adjoin- 
ing, have given evidence of a renewed temper 
and disposition, an*l have become, as is under- 
stood, members of the visible church. This ad- 
dition to the number of professors of religion 
must have greatly encouraged those, who, like 
Jacob of old, could exclaim, "I have waited for 
thy salvation, Lord." And the reports, which 
were from time to time made in this meeting, by 
respected brethren from Plymouth, excited sym- 
pathy, and prayer, and gratitude, and were thus 
made serviceable to ourselves. 

Besides these instances, the intelligence of re- 
vivals of religion contained in the religious 
journals has not been wanting, nor visits of 
Christian friends, missionaries, and others, whose 



42 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

reports and exhortations were heard with deep 
interest, and have left, we trust, some impres- 
sions that still abide. 

But there has appeared, in the past year, a 
feature of our meeting comparatively new. Near- 
ly three months since, a brother, deacon of one 
of the churches, whose mind had been much ex- 
ercised in contemplating their spiritual condition, 
arose and inquired, "Do we feel so concerned for 
it as to be willing to ask of G-od a revival of his 
work, with fasting and prayer?" The question 
was new — the thought, apparently, unexpected 
— but the brethren, mindful, no doubt, of the 
happy results which have arisen from the day of 
prayer for colleges, came at length to the de- 
termination that, with divine permission, such a 
day should be observed. 

It was accordingly kept; and, some notice hav- 
ing been given in different churches, it was well 
attended — that is, the chapel was comfortably 
filled. An excellent spirit seemed to pervade 
the meetings, both morning and afternoon. The 
Eeverend Dr. Beecher, senior, who attended 
them, and whose experience in the church of 
Christ among us has been long and extensive, re- 
marked to the writer that he had never been 
present on any similar occasion where there was 
so great and so uniform solemnity of feeling and 
expression. 



OLD SOUTH PEAYER-MEETIXG. 43 

This encouraged the brethren; and therefore, 
after serious consultation, another meeting was 
held, at the interval of two weeks. After a sim- 
ilar interval, another was held ; and two more 
have been holden — five in all. At each of these, 
several pastors of different churches and denom- 
inations have been present, and presided in them. 
Nor has the interest seemed to diminish. What 
results are to follow, time will develop. 

In the mean while, these several meetings for 
social worship, and conference, and mutual edifi- 
cation, are not — blessed be God for it! — without 
perceptible effects of an internal, spiritual na- 
ture. This has been, not once only, but many 
times, acknowledged by different individuals. In 
fact, it could hardly be otherwise, if we believe 
and obey the testimony of Scripture. All need- 
ful freedom is allowed. The Bible is opened and 
read, usually with such remarks as the presiding 
brother sees fit ; and, being allowed to speak for 
itself, its paramount authority is reverenced, and 
regarded as final. 

This one prominent feature of the meeting 
requires to be dwelt on, and distinctly noticed. 
The just government of the affections, in a sub- 
ject of a nature so momentous as that of reli- 
gion, is all-important. Zeal may degenerate into 
mere animal passion, and strong emotions of reli- 
gious preference into bigotry, oppression, and 



44 OLD SOUTH PlfAYER-MEETIXG. 

persecution, or into the frenzies of fanaticism, if 
not restrained; directed, and guarded, by " the Law 
and the Testimony.' 7 TThat horrors have recently 
been witnessed in Connecticut ! ^Vhat aberra- 
tions from reason, common sense, and Christian 
experience, have resulted from Spiritualism ! And 
what immoralities and wickedness have branded 
the alarming course of Mormonism ! All this, 
every real Christian must acknowledge, has arisen 
from neglect of the Scriptures, and of daily and 
habitual communion with God. 

Now, no tendency to these delusions has gained 
admittance to our meeting. On the contrary, the 
themes on which we have been led to dwell have 
been eminently scriptural and practical. The 
character, offices, and sacrifice, of Christ: his 
preciousness to the believer : his relation to 
the church, and care for it : the necessity of a 
vital union with him by faith, and the happy, 
blessed, eternal fruits of such union: the obli- 
gations of brotherly love for Christ's sake : and 
the wide, interminable field of divine truth, op- 
ening into eternity itself, with ail its number- 
less relations and dependencies ; and the over- 
flowing fountain of divine mercies opened in 
the Gospel for the supply and renovation of a 
sin-polluted and sin-ruined world — these have 
been the fruitful subjects of meditation, remark, 
and prayer. Can it possibly have been without 



OLD SOUTH PBAYEB-MEETENG. 45 

spiritual fruit? It were ingratitude so to be- 
lieve. 

Time will not permit us to dwell further, per- 
haps, on subjects of special observation : yet one 
occurrence should not be forgotton. On the 13th 
of the present month, our venerable friend. Dea- 

d Bumstead. who is the most aged and one oi 
the most punctual of the attendants on the meet- 
se in his place and remarked that it was 
the eighty-fifth anniversary of the day of his 
birth : and, after extolling the goodness of God 
to him. offered up his prayer for the blessings 
needed by the church, the world, himself, his 
family, and us. Among these petitions, one was, 
that our meeting for prayer might be sustained 
until the dawning of millennial blessedness and 
glory. In this desire, do we not all feel a deep 
and solemn, yet. in view of the merciful promises 
of an ever-faithful God. a joyful, soul-advancing 
interest? 

Submitted by Wm. Jenks. 

Secr'y of the Meeting. 

This Report was accepted, with a vote of 
thanks, and a request that it be published. 

THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MORNING 
PRAYER-MEETING HELD IN THE CHAPEL OF 
THE OLD SOUTH. Read January 1st, 1857. 

As it has been customary, at this season of the 
year, to review the annual period just past, some 



46 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

remarks will be offered this morning respecting 
it. A regular and minute historical account 
will not, it is hoped, be expected. The spirit 
which characterizes such meetings as this, is of 
more importance, unquestionably, than the re- 
cital of particular events, or methods relating to 
the holding of it. 

And, in regard to the general spirit of the 
meeting, have we not found it good, brethren 
and sisters in Christ, to be here ? Have not 
"our hearts burned within us," as we have come 
together, morning by morning, to seek commu- 
nion with God? And have we not gone from 
the meeting, frequently, with a firmer resolution 
to live nearer to him, and to labor more for him, 
and to walk with him more faithfully, cheerfully, 
and reverentially ? 

It has not unfrequently been observed, in the 
meeting, that, were there even no new accessions 
made to the body of believers among us, by the 
conversion of such as had never before tasted of 
divine grace, the meeting would not be without 
its use in the creation of a deeper interest in 
the great concerns of religion, the glory of 
Christ, the understanding and application of the 
sacred Scriptures, and the cultivation of Chris- 
tian graces among professed disciples of the 
Redeemer, of different denominations. And so, 
indeed, have we experienced. Are we- not 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 47 

drawn nearer to each other, fellow-Christians, 
than heretofore? Do we not take a warmer and 
deeper interest in each other's spiritual welfare 
than when we first came together? We cannot 
doubt it is so. 

But the mere enjoyment of social Christianity. 
among professors of religion, is by no means the 
whole aim and design of the system of revela- 
tion. It is in its nature, like light, diffusive. It 
is bestowed that it may germinate, like seed, and 
rear new plants of righteousness. It glorifies 
God by doing good to men. And, to "withhold 
the truth" from this, its high and holy mission, 
is "unrighteousness." A responsibility, which 
cannot be shaken off, attaches itself to all who 
receive the grace of God in truth to spread the 
glad tidings as widely and effectively as possible. 
"Let him that heareth say, Come." 

In agreement with these principles has been 
our experience during the year now past. "The 
spirit of grace and of supplication" has seemed 
to be poured out on not a few of those who 
occasionally led us in prayer. A deeper and 
more absorbing sense of the value and necessity 
of vital, spiritual religion had no sooner seemed 
to possess their minds, and engage their petitions, 
than "the burden of souls" weighed down their 
spirits. 



48 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

While this state of feeling became more and 
more perceptible, a reverend brother, at first a 
stranger to the most of us, if not to all, attended 
the meeting. His heart was warm, and his utter- 
ance free and cogent. Not only did he plead, 
from time to time, with God, for us, but also 
with us on behalf of God. His impassioned ad- 
dresses led to the appointment of meetings 
in the building occupied by our " Baptist 77 
brethren in Bowdoin-square. There, at length, 
a series of meetings was holden during a part of 
the summer and autumn, and the labors of the 
Reverend Mr. Day were blest, as is hoped, to the 
everlasting good of not a few. His labors — and 
he had often labored in different places, as an 
evangelist during revivals of religion — were 
shared also by the Baptist church and society 
worshipping in Baldwin-place. 

After Mr. Day's departure, the Rev. Mr. Wes- 
cott continued the service, with good success, in 
Bowdoin-square. There it is now advancing, 
though more slowly. In the mean while, under 
the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Finney, President 
of Oberlin College, Ohio, the work goes on in 
Park-street Church and society. Prom the 
crowded attendance, and from the solemn atten- 
tion of those who listen to his instructions and 
exhortations, the best results are hoped for. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 49 

0, how different, Christian friends, is this 
state of things, though far beneath our wishes still, 
from that which prevailed when our morning 
prayer-meeting was resuscitated, more than six 
years ago ! Is not a firmer hold taken upon the 
promises of God than we dared to take then? 
Are we not better prepared to give honor to the 
Divine Spirit for the conversion of souls than 
then? Are we not even more than convinced 
that, without the convicting and converting en- 
ergy of the Holy Ghost, no sinner can be brought 
to rejoice in the Saviour? And have not the 
pleadings with God for his more than royal gift 
become increasingly urgent, confiding, and perse- 
vering? Have not answers to prayer been also 
in mercy experienced? 

As in the course of the last year, occasional 
days of "fasting with humiliation and prayer n 
have been holden, at which seasons, the meeting 
enjoyed the welcome presence and aid of several 
of the pastors of churches represented in it. 
These seasons were uniformly most solemn, and, 
it is hoped and believed, most useful. Their 
usefulness has been found, if in nothing else, at 
least in two successive annual public meetings, 
on the usual State Fast. These meetings, orig- 
inating in the spontaneous volition of a small 
portion of the community, have assisted, it is 
hoped, in rescuing from an else increasing neg- 
4 



50 OLD SOUTH PRAYEE-MEETING. 

lect, an observance descending to us from our 
Puritan ancestors, and authorized by ancient pa- 
triarchs., prophets, and "holy men of God." 

As the human mind is liable, in its fluctua- 
tions, to go from one extreme to another, it is 
our precious and inestimable privilege to have 
the sacred Scriptures open before us in this 
meeting. In these we have an infallible direct- 
ory. Prom the Bible, properly understood, there 
is no appeal. But be it remembered that this 
Word of God pronounces the consecration of 
both "body and spirit" to his service and glory 
our "reasonable" duty. It tells us we "are not 
our own, but bought with a price," and that, 
therefore, this duty binds us. Did it practically 
engross the church of God on the earth, how 
soon would the entire face of our world be 
altered! How soon might "the glorious Gospel 
of the blessed God" pervade it ! 

What have we, then, before us, but humble, 
holy diligence in our walk with God, and doing 
good to men, as he in his providence shall give 
us the opportunity and means? Thus shall "the 
little one become a thousand, the small one a na- 
tion," and God "will hasten it in its time." But 
he "will be sought unto to do it." 

It is proper in this connection to mention that, 
agreeably to the vote of this meeting, correspond- 
ence was held, for a time, with a similar meeting, in 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 51 

Portland, Maine. Since then, although but recent- 
ly, I have been grieved to hear that the meeting 
alluded to has ceased, the attendance gradually 
diminishing, until it was thought best to dissolve 
it. Nevertheless, it is gratifying to learn, from 
other quarters, even at a greater distance, that 
your zeal, Christian friends, has encouraged imi- 
tation, and that your example has not been with- 
out its influence. God grant that it be employed 
as an instrument of power in building up his 
kingdom in this favored region, and in the nation 
he has so greatly distinguished by his mercies, 
that it may distinguish itself by active and effect- 
ive devotedness to his service and glory. 

During the past year we have been favored by 
divine mercy, in prolonging generally the lives 
of those with whom we have been accustomed 
to meet. One melancholy exception, however, 
is to be made, in the lamented decease of a 
beloved brother, the Honorable Daniel Safford, 
a Deacon of the Mount Vernon Church, and 
highly respected and confided in by the reli- 
gious community, and our citizens at large. As 
presiding over the city mission, his influence, as 
were his labors, was invaluable. He had indeed 
the true spirit of a Christian citizen, raised up, 
in the providence of God, for public good. But 
"with Him" who made our brother what ho was 



52 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

"is the wisdom of the Spirit/' unexhausted and 
inexhaustible. 

All which is respectfully submitted. 

Wm. Jenks, Sectfy of the Meeting. 

FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNION 
PRAYER-MEETING, HELD IN THE OLD SOUTH 
CHAPEL EVERY MORNING OF THE SECULAR 
WEEK, AND LATELY AT NOON ALSO. Read 
May 12, 1858. 

Towards the close of 1857, the Secretary of 
this meeting drew up a series of hints, intending 
to use them in preparing a Report for that year, 
to be presented at the commencement of the new 
one. But, being seized with illness, and confined 
for several weeks, the usual time for such a ser- 
vice passed by. In the mean while, an unusual 
state of the public mind developed itself, pro- 
ducing, through the abounding grace of Almighty 
God, a revival of the power of religion in several 
different branches of his church among us, and 
awakening attention to that all-important subject 
among almost all orders of the community, espe- 
cially men of business. 

It seemed expedient, then, to watch the course 
of events, and see more of the issue of them, 
before recording anything. But a resolution was 
adopted, very recently, that some communication 
from the meeting should be made public. Out 
of that resolution this Report takes its origin. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 53 

The first emotion to be noticed, in looking 
back on the interval passed since the last Report 
was read, is that of gratitude to God for the 
continuance of the meeting, leading, it is not to 
be doubted, to the acknowledgment of much 
benefit derived from it to those who have been 
able to attend it seriously and habitually. To all 
such the appeal is made, that this benefit has 
been found in the cultivation of the social feel- 
ings, sanctified by the spirit of the religion of 
the Gospel; in the recognition of our mutual 
dependence on God for every blessing ; in the 
special acknowledgment of our need of the in- 
fluences of the Holy Spirit to revive and invigo- 
rate the Christian graces, and to extend the king- 
dom of our blessed Redeemer and Saviour by 
the conversion of sinners, thus cultivating com- 
passion for our fellow-men, with reference to 
their eternal interests ; in learning, too, and 
sympathizing in the varying condition of the 
branches of Christ's church, as intelligence may 
have been communicated, leading to prayer; 
and cherishing an interest in all Christian enter- 
prises for the divine glory and human benefit, 
and commending them to God's effective bless- 
ing. 

From these daily employments, occupying the 
short hour assigned them, it is believed that 
much good has been experienced, especially 



54 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

when we consider that no mere denominational 
or sectarian views have been encouraged or ex- 
cited ; but, on the contrary, that has been incul- 
cated, felt, and exhibited, which relates to the 
common Christianity and human salvation. We 
seem, then, to have found, at last, the secret 
of Christian union, after which, for so many 
ages, the Christian world has been striving, — 
not the subjection of the general will to the mere 
human will of any individual, or body of individu- 
als, but implicit obedience to the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and to the Scriptures. And it must have 
been observed that the preciousness of Christ 
and the glory of the Scriptures have been the 
themes of most frequent remark and strongest 
feeling, rendering our constant reference to the 
Bible increasingly interesting, as its treasures 
have been daily contemplated. 

During much of the period under review, a 
deep interest was taken in the occcasional, but 
frequent, and for some time continued labors 
of the Rev. C. G. Finney, President of Oberlin 
College. These were mostly in connection with 
Park-street Church, yet not confined to it. Other 
churches and neighborhoods experienced a bless- 
ing in them, but to what extent is difficult to de- 
termine. God's blessing also attended the ex- 
ertions of his respected lady in her acceptable 
efforts among her own sex. Nor was it with- 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 55 

holclen from the labors of the Rev. Mr. Day, who, 
in different parts of the city and its vicinity, was 
occupied as an evangelist. 

A new feature, also, has marked this period, in 
the establishment and continuance of a " Female 
Prayer-meeting," immediately following that to 
whose special report our attention is now given. 
Nor can we, without injustice, omit noticing the 
•• Association of Young Men," which, although 
not formed within the- time, still continued to 
flourish. Their agency was felt and acknowl- 
edged in preparing relief for the anticipated, but, 
happily, not realized, sufferings of the poor, — 
that service heretofore having been rendered by 
those mostly who were further advanced in life. 
But the omen is good. It excites hope, as it 
draws grateful observation, and leads us to ex- 
pect that coming generations will do more than 
the past in fulfilling the civic and Christian obli- 
gations which press on our social system. For it 
may well be esteemed a reproach, that the human 
nature, in such a country as is ours, and with the 
enlightenment enjoyed among us, should be 
suffered, without some vigorous effort to prevent 
the degradation, to breed down below the brutes, 
— as, unquestionably, has been in many old com- 
munities, and even in our own, most unhappily, 
the deplorable case. 

In the period we review, the furnishing for 



56 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

missions among the islands of the Pacific of a 
commodious vessel, has engaged at times our 
gratitude, and we have followed the " Morning 
Star" with delighted interest. This becomes 
doubly valuable from the hold it must, of neces- 
sity, have on the minds and hearts of our chil- 
dren and youth, whose contributions have aided 
to realize the blessing ; and we now find that the 
converted natives are following the example set 
them, and preparing their boats for diffusing the 
Gospel among their fellow-islanders. 

But this may be thought to open too wide a 
field. We come home, in glancing for a moment 
at our own city mission, whose members, male 
and female, have often met with us. God has 
blessed and prospered them, and manifested the 
tokens of his gracious presence in many of their 
numerous meetings ; yet, ah ! how much must 
yet be done to make our city a model for cities 
and communities of accountable immortals, and 
our highly-favored country a model for all states 
and kingdoms ! 

The new and powerful impulse which has been 
given to our meeting, and to hundreds of similar 
character in these United States, demands, as it 
has received, our marked acknowledgment, and 
equally our devout and diligent use. The ex- 
citement in New York, and its influence on the 
large seaports at first, and specially, crowding the 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 57 

places of prayer, and demanding the opening of 
new rooms and church-buildings for supplication 
and instruction, came to us with an overwhelming 
sensation. Remarkable visitations of Divine 
Providence had been, indeed, apparent for a con- 
siderable time, acknowledged, also, and deeply 
felt, by no small part of the community : and it*is 
believed that a disposition to lay them to heart, 
and to profit by them, has pervaded a large por- 
tion of our country, and in many quarters is still 
advancing-. 

This has rendered meetings for prayer far 
more common than heretofore, and, doubtless, 
has led multitudes of souls to seek, in Christ, the 
consolation, which, in no other way can be ob- 
tained, — showing God's merciful designs in his 
providential dealings with us, and prompting 
every Christian to pray that these visitations 
may be fully sanctified to the building up of the 
kingdom of heaven in the earth, and the salva- 
tion of men. 

One of our late number, a brother of tlfe Epis- 
copal branch of the church of Christ, Ruggles 
Slack, Esq., has been suddenly removed from us 
by death, in the course of the period we now 
briefly review. He was a serious, devoted Chris- 
tian, and took a warm and active interest in all 
that related to the progress of divine truth, wel- 
coming every symptom of its revival, and en- 



58 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

deavoring to animate the faith of its friends. 
The Lord, with whom is the residue of the Spirit, 
raise up many more of similar temper ! 
Respectfully submitted by 

Wm. Jenks, Secretary. 
(Read at the meeting, May 12th, 1858.) 

FIFTH REPORT OF THE UNION MORNING 
PRAYER-MEETING, IN THE OLD SOUTH CHAPEL. 
Presented January 1st, 1859. 

" Set thee up way-marks/ 7 was the direction 
of an ancient prophet of Israel. And, in the 
providence of God, this is done for us in the 
transition we make from period to period of our 
probationary existence. For few are so thought- 
less as not to be in some degree affected by the 
solemn close of one year 'and the commencement 
of another. Such is our present experience. 

The year which has just ended, has, in a Chris- 
tian point of view, been, as is on all hands ac- 
knowledged, exceedingly memorable. The work 
of Go,d, by his Holy Spirit, in our own country 
peculiarly, has, from stage to stage of it, called 
for our wonder, gratitude, love, and trust : for 
our wonder, because of its extent, independent 
of that human effort which God demands of his 
people, and because it has taken hold of classes 
of men not reached by ordinary means, and has 
spread from city to city, as it were by a spiritual 
yet most happy contagion. It seemed to burst 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 59 

forth like light in the midst of darkness, and, 
with the rapidity of light, to diffuse its salutary 
influence. And that it should cause thanksgiv- 
ing to God, no one can hesitate to acknowledge, 
who has the le^st becoming sense of the incal- 
culable worth of the soul, and of the price of its 
redemption. Nor can the Christian withhold his 
love and confidence from that merciful Redeemer 
who, at the cost of his own precious blood, 
bought him for his everlasting inheritance. 

With our present information, it would be pre- 
sumptuous to attempt an estimate of the numbers 
whom God has brought " out of darkness into his 
marvellous light " during the year. It has been 
familiarly alluded to among us as rather to be 
reckoned by thousands than by hundreds. But, 
Christian friends, is it possible for us to allow 
ourselves to rest quietly in the fact of such an 
in-gathering, when " the Lord of the harvest " is 
so ready to augment the- store by the bestowment 
of new and further mercies, and there are so 
many thousands, nay, millions, who need them ? 
What Christian heart does not now swell with 
the earnest desire, that, in the increase of this 
revived spirit, and the great and rapid multipli- 
cation of its subjects, God may be glorified and 
sinners saved? 

Every conversion has its own appropriate 
value and peculiar connections, although the 



60 OLD SOUTH PKAYER-MEETING. 

result is the same, in submission tcra wise, holy, 
loving, and merciful Saviour, whose preciousness 
no tongue can adequately describe, and whose 
service, in its honor and consequences, no human 
estimate can reach. And yet, these blessings, 
infinitely valuable and necessary as they are, are 
offered freely to all, wherever the Gospel comes. 

The year has been distinguished by two re- 
markable features of its religious* character, — 
"the Spirit of grace and supplication," so observ- 
ably poured out on very many assemblies of 
greater or less number and publicity ; and the 
honor, in consequence, given to the Saviour. 
But this latter feature is only in perfect coinci- 
dence with his own declaration concerning the 
work of the Spirit : " He shall glorify me." 
Under such operation, therefore, this is uniformly 
to be anticipated. 

It ought to be noticed, likewise, that, while 
our own meeting is, in name and reality, an 
" union," combining individuals of different 
" branches " of the Christian church, — Congre- 
gationalists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, 
and Presbyterians, for instance, — and that from 
its first formation, the same feature has been im- 
pressed on the meetings in other places ; indeed, 
so far as we have learned, in all, and that observ- 
ably — the bond of union is love to the Saviour, 
and Christian affection for all who bear his moral 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 61 

image, and seek to promote his cause and glory 
in the conversion of sinners. Denominational 
differences in other respects have hardly made 
their appearance. They have been absorbed in 
a deep and abiding concern to realize the prayer 
of the Redeemer, that in him all his professed 
followers should be one. 

Another feature of this revival has been, and 
is, the engagedness of laymen in promoting it 
zealously, and judiciously, and perseveringly. 
And this has appeared to be done with entire 
cordiality, and of a voluntary and intelligent con- 
secration to the work, without waiting to be 
urged by the ministry, but acting on the permis- 
sion, " Let him that heareth say, Come/ 7 and 
without a tinge of the spirit of fault-finding and 
reproach. Thus far, this important fact has been 
a great encouragement. The Lord grant that it 
continue and increase ! 

It has also been one of the memorable features 
of the year that God has called into increasing 
operation the instrumentality of young men. A 
recent estimate of this " arm M of the spiritual war- 
fare makes it to amount to two thousand in Lon- 
don alone, in fourteen years, since its providential 
employment, and in our own country to ten times 
that number. Can we contemplate this without 
adoring gratitude ? Some of us can look back to 
the period when aged men and aged women — 



62 OLD SOUTH PRATER-MEETING. 

the relics of " the Great Awakening " — formed 
the majority, small, indeed, at best, of our respect- 
ive churches, and it was rarely seen that the 
young came forward to increase the sacramental 
band. But now, and since the formation of our 
all-important Sabbath-schools, the church of 
Christ is becoming replenished with youthful 
converts, to receive, if their services be faithful, 
the training of the Saviour's " household of 
faith.' 7 0, that it may be a training for such a 
measure of Christian usefulness as is impera- 
tively demanded throughout that "field" which is 
" the world/' and such as no previous age of it 
has witnessed ! 

The prayer-meetings which have been holden 
by the sisters of the church, many of whom are 
deeply interested in Maternal Associations, have 
been effective of much good ; and they promise 
still greater, from the salutary influence on the 
infancy, childhood, and youth, of our race, exer- 
cised by the highly-privileged Christian mother, 
— an influence which, though it may not always 
produce its proper effect at once, yet is often 
recalled, and rendered operative in subsequent 
life. 

Two features more of our meetings demand a 
grateful mention. One is, that occasional exhi- 
bitions of Christian experience have been made 
in them, by interesting narratives of personal 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 63 

joys, sorrows, and efforts ; the other, that oppor- 
tunity has been offered, and taken, of hearing 
reports from Christian friends who have come in 
from abroad, concerning what God may have 
been doing by his grace under their own obser- 
vation, and in their neighborhoods. This has 
often excited a new interest and tender concern, 
which, with the admission of requests from indi- 
viduals for a special remembrance of their case 
at the throne of mercy, have taught us, in some 
good degree, " the worth of prayer.' 7 

Nor ought we to overlook, in this connection, 
the establishment and operation of neighborhood 
meetings for prayer. These have been multi- 
plied, and God has remarkably blessed them. 
They allow a greater liberty of speech, and a 
more familiar and personal address, than more 
public assemblies permit, giving opportunity 
for arriving at a knowledge of the state of indi- 
vidual hearts, sympathizing with them, pointing 
appropriately to the only remedy for sin, and 
urging immediate application to it, as well as 
affording matter for intelligent prayer. 

We have, likewise, been recently led to enter- 
tain and cherish a new interest in the conversion 
of Jews, by ascertaining what God has done 
among them, especially in the city of Xew York : 
giving, as it were, the pledge of that promised 
result of their reception into his church under 



64 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

the Gospel, which is to be to Gentile believers 
" as life from the dead. 77 Nor has the year been 
without remarkable instances of recovery from 
the superstitions of Rome, and deliverance from 
Jesuitical art and self-seeking, from which our 
country, like all others where they have been 
prevalent, has so much reason to fear and be 
alarmed. 

On the whole, then, brethren and sisters in 
Christ, we have great encouragement to perse- 
vere in prayer and Christian effort, and to com- 
mence the new year that now dawns upon us 
with high hopes of witnessing yet greater dis- 
plays of the mercy of God in Christ. Let us u lay 
aside/ 7 then, " every weight, and the sin that 
doth so easily beset us, and run with cheerfulness 
the Christian race, looking unto Jesus, 77 as our 
example, our strength, and our glorious inherit- 
ance, by a vital faith. 

Submitted by 

Wm. Jenks, 
Secretary of the Meeting. 



We give below a verbatim report of one meeting, including every prayer, 
hymn, and all the remarks. Although the reporter was seen by one or two 
taking notes, yet no one knew that he was reporting the meeting in full for this 
book. * 

REPORT 



OF ONE MORNING PRAYER-MEETING AT THE OLD 
SOUTH CHAPEL. 

Saturday A. M., February 19, 1859. 
[Phonographically reported for this book, by J. M. W. Yerrinton.] 

The exercises commenced at precisely half- 
past eight o'clock, — Dea. Bates occupying the 
chair, — by the singing of the following verses 
of the eighth hymn, third book : 

" Come, let us join a joyful tune 
To our exalted Lord ! 
Ye saints on high, around his throne, 
And we around his board. 

" While once upon this lower ground 
Weary and faint ye stood, 
What dear refreshment here ye found 
From this immortal food ! " 

Dea. Bates then offered the following prayer : 

Lord, our heavenly Father, w r e would bless 

and praise thy name for thy goodness and for 

thy mercies to us. We thank thee that thou 

hast preserved us through the night, that thou 

5 (Go) 



66 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

hast refreshed our bodies by a comfortable sleep, 
and that we have been permitted to rise from 
our beds and come into this place, where prayer 
is wont to be made. 0, blessed Saviour, wilt 
thou meet us here with thy love and thy mercy ! 
Impart thy blessing and thy Spirit to every soul 
who is present before thee, and upon all who 
may assemble this morning. 0, may we get a 
fresh baptism from on high ! May we feel that 
thou art ready to bestow thy gifts and graces 
upon us, and that thou art more willing and 
ready than we are to give good gifts to our 
children. 

Lord, bless all who have assembled here 
this morning. Some have come to the city to 
remain but a few days, and have come here to 
be refreshed. Lord, wilt thou meet them with 
thy Spirit and grace, and fill their hearts with thy 
love. 0, wilt thou bless the stranger ! Speak 
the word of peace to his soul, and cause him to 
rejoice in Christ the Saviour. 0, may those who 
shall come here who are without hope be re- 
membered in our prayers before thee. 0, blessed 
Jesus, come thou into our midst ; touch every 
heart, and make every heart to feel that there is 
a blessedness in Jesus, and a salvation in him, 
which the world cannot give. 0, may we feel 
that it is by his grace and his Spirit that we are 
made to rejoice ! 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 67 

We thank thee, God, for what thou hast 
done. We thank thee that thou hast put the 
song of praise into our mouths, that thou hast 
enabled us to stand up for thee ; for it is by thy 
grace and the power of thy Spirit ; it is not of 
ourselves. Lord, we would feel our depend- 
ence upon thee. We would lie low before thee. 
We would present ourselves before thy cross, 
and plead the merits of that blood which was 
spilled for the sins of the world. 0, blessed 
God, may thy Spirit and thy grace be with us, 
and may we have a heavenly sitting here, this 
morning. Pour out thy grace upon those who, 
on the morrow, shall stand up in the churches 
• and preach the truths of thy blessed Gospel. 
Speak through them to the people. May the 
coming Sabbath long be remembered by us as 
a day in which the Holy Spirit was poured out 
upon the city, and remained with us. May every 
soul be quickened by thy grace. Come to our 
help, Lord most mighty, and may we see such 
a work of grace as we have never yet beheld : 
and may sinners flock to Christ, as clouds of 
doves to their windows. come, mighty Sa- 
viour ! Thou hast power, and we pray thee 
show it forth, and we will attribute all honor 
and praise and glory to thy name, now and 
forever, amen ! 



68 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 

The following verse was then sung : 

" Did Christ o'er sinners weep, 
And shall our cheeks be dry ? 
Let floods of penitential grief 
Burst forth from every eye." 

Dea. Bates: I will now read two or three 
verses from the first chapter of Mark : 

"And he preached in their synagogues through- 
out all Galilee, and cast out devils. 

u And there came a leper to him, beseeching 
him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto 
him, ' If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 7 

"And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth 
his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I 
will ; be thou clean. 

" And as soon as he had spoken, immediately 
the leprosy departed from him, and he was 
cleansed. 77 

Dea. Bates continued : The meeting is opened, 
brethren, and I hope it may be improved by those 
present, especially by the young converts, and 
that the meeting may be more social than usual. 
I have noticed that those at the back part of the 
room do not speak so much as those nearer in 
front, although their hearts may be full, perhaps, 
and they may have much to say. We wish there 
might be perfect freedom ; and we wish all to 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 69 

speak, and tell how they feel, and what they have 
seen of the mighty works of God: — a word of 
encouragement, or exhortation, or singing, as 
they shall be moved by the Spirit. 

" Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove, 
With all thy quickening powers, 
Kindle a flame of sacred love 
In these cold hearts of ours." 

Capt. Girdler : I have noticed that when we 
have had our most lively meetings, we have had 
the most prayer and the most testimonials of 
God's mercy. I know, my brethren, it is very 
difficult to compress our thoughts into a few 
words. That heart warmed up by the fires of 
divine love, who can estimate its strength and 
its power ? And it will run over those abridged 
limits, and take away, apparently, the liberty of 
another. That is one of our greatest difficulties 
— to know when we have said enough. I sup- 
pose the measure of time is the best rule to go 
by. And here is perfect liberty to God's saints, 
because, wherever God's people are, on the sea 
or on the land, under any circumstances, at all 
times, when they call upon Him, his gracious 
power is known and manifested, and he delegates 
that power to the heart which is moved to speak 
of his mercies, no matter whether seaman or 
landsman, no matter whether in the cabin or in 



70 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

the forecastle. I suppose the sailor thinks " the 
further aft ? the more honor; 77 but in Jesus Christ 
there is no such thing — it is all perfect liberty. 
0, may the time be near when a revival of pure 
religion shall be universal among that class of 
our fellow-men ; and the most effectual way to 
promote this great increase of the Redeemer's 
kingdom, and make the sailor instrumental with 
Christ's ministers in proclaiming the Gospel to 
the world, is for these ladies, these Christian 
sisters, and every Christian brother, to make it 
a special point to pray for the conversion of 
shipmasters. Once get them interested in the 
cause of Christ, and the conversion of the sailors 
will speedily follow. No one but a seaman can 
tell the attachment of the sailors to the officer 
who treats them with kindness. No matter how 
much hard work he puts upon them, — Jack does 
not care anything for hard work, — only let him 
treat them affectionately, and kindly, and let them 
see that he is a Christian by his conduct, — for 
" a tree is known by its fruit/ 7 

Now, my brethren, I do not wish to trespass 
upon the time, but do let this subject lie near to 
your hearts, my Christian friends. I consider 
the greatest proof of God 7 s blessing, the greatest 
encouragement we have had, has been the visits 
and the conversion of seamen during this last 
season. 0, what a mighty field is here! Our 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 71 

ships are seen everywhere, all over the world; 
and could that class of men be brought into the 
church of God, what glorious results would fol- 
low ! And the most effectual way to accomplish 
this is to pray for the conversion of the ship- 
master, and that of the seaman will soon follow. 
How can it be helped? For the encouragement 
of our young Christian friends, I would say, on 
my honor as a Christian man, that I never went 
a voyage, after I became master, that there were 
not more or less conversions on board the vessel. 
0, what peace, comfort, and harmony, I have seen 
through all my sea-voyages, after the sailors had 
become sober ; for I have seen them, sometimes, in 
such a state that they did not know, for a week, 
when bound for New Orleans or Charleston, 
where they were going ; and these very men 
have become the objects of Christ's saving power, 
and could preach and exhort before the voyage 
was up, — for I generally stayed one or two 
years away from home, — and they came home 
monuments of God's saving power. Let, then, 
the burden of your prayers be for the conversion 
of shipmasters. You have all classes and condi- 
tions presented for your prayers, but let me ask 
your prayers for this class of men, those who 
command ships, that the Divine Spirit may fol- 
low them, and bring them into the fold of the 
Great Shepherd ; and when that work is begun 



72 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

among shipmasters, the conversion of seamen 
will follow. "What next? The power of the 
Man of Sin will be broken. What next? Then 
look out for millennial glory. 
One verse sung : 

" How sweet the name of Jesus sounds. 
In a believer's ear ! 
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, 
And drives away his fear." 

Capt. BartletTj of Plymouth : Brethren and 
sisters, as I sat upon my seat here, the thought 
came into my mind — Another week has rolled 
away ; we are one week nearer eternity than we 
were a week ago. And as I sat here, I thought 
of the object for which we had assembled, as I 
trust, each and all — the salvation of immortal 
souls. Are we all prepared in heart for that, this 
morning, dear brethren and sisters ? Is that our 
object here ? If it is, friends in Christ, we may 
know that Christ is with us, and whatever we ask 
in faith, believing, we shall receive. Let us 
remember, as we were admonished yesterday 
morning, that we must make our remarks short 
and to the point. May our hearts flow freely 
towards God; may saints be quickened this 
morning, and, if there be an impenitent soul here, 
may it be saved by divine grace. Let us pray. 

Our Father and Redeemer, who art in heaven, 
what can we do without thee? All our right- 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 73 

eousness is but as filthy rags in thy sight. We 
lean wholly, God, on thee. Thou seest us, 
dear Saviour, a company of sinners, — all of us ; 
for no man liveth and sinneth not, we are taught 
in thy blessed word; and we would desire to 
come this morning and plead with thee, dear 
Saviour, that, as thy children, thou wouldst pre- 
pare our hearts now, as we come before thee, to 
pray for the salvation of the sinners in our midst ; 
to pray for this wicked city, and for this world, 
which lieth in wickedness. God, thou seest 
how much we need, all of us, the spirit of prayer. 
Dear Saviour, we would have thee in our midst. 
Wilt thou stir us all up, and cause us to speak, 
not from the lips alone, but from the heart. And 
wilt thou bless our prayers and exhortations, and 
the reading of thy word ; and may this be a day 
long to be remembered as the day when many 
souls found out the way to Zion. Heavenly 
Father, we pray for the ministers of the Gospel 
on the coming Sabbath; we would ever desire 
to pray, on Saturday morning, that thou wouldst 
be with them on the coming Sabbath. May 
they preach thy blessed word to the edification 
and salvation of men. We pray that the Spirit 
of God may come in our midst, and prevail more 
abundantly than ever before. Thy kingdom 
come to each one of us, thy will be done, on 
earth as it is in heaven. Amen. 



74 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

Capt. Bartlett then remarked as follows : I 
wish to give a little account of what has been 
done, the past week, among seamen. On Mon- 
day evening, at the temperance meeting, seven- 
teen signed the pledge. On Wednesday evening, 
one of these was among the twelve who rose for 
prayer. Last evening, something like the same 
number rose, and the mate whom you saw rise 
here a few mornings ago for prayers spoke for 
the first time. God has given him liberty, and he 
is going to sail soon as master of a vessel from 
this port. I had a conversation with him, and he 
said there was no difficulty now in getting a 
whole ship's company of Christian sailors. I told 
him that was not the way ; that it would be bet- 
ter to take a part of his crew from among Chris- 
tian men, and to take the others from the un- 
converted, in order that they might be led to 
Christ. That is the way to propagate the Gospel. 

Last evening, when the invitation was given to 
rise for prayer, one young man rose, and as he 
did so his mother started, " Glory to Gocl, my 
son has risen for prayers, for the first time in his 
life." Her heart seemed to be overflowing, and 
she could not restrain herself. I understand that 
she is a member of Park-street Church; her son, 
who is a married man, has sometimes attended the 
meetings, but last night, for the first time, rose to 
be prayed for, and she poured out her whole 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. <0 

soul, as mothers only can when they see their 
sons inquiring the way of salvation. 

I tell you. my Christian friends, seamen are 
capable of doing a work, of the importance of 
which mankind have no idea. Our brother has 
given us some idea of it, but the whole of 
what seamen are capable and have the privilege 
of doing, if their hearts are warmed by the love 
of Christ, cannot be told. I know of two sailors 
who have been a voyage to India and back. One 
was converted before he left, and the other down 
in the Roads, and wrote a letter back to the 
Bethel preacher, that he had found God upon the 
deep. We have a letter from one who went to 
Havana, full of love for Jesus Christ. These are 
the first fruits from among those whose home is 
upon the sea. I want you to pray for seamen. 
The work is growing, not only in importance but 
in efficacy, and God is bringing that class into 
the fold of Christ, who are to go forth and 
spread the tidings of a Saviour's love over the 
earth. There are some seven or eight new-born 
souls here, and I hope we shall hear from them. 
Although they may not feel so free to speak here 
as at the Bethel, yet I would assure them that 
they are among Christian brethren, who can feel 
and sympathize with them, and they may do good 
to them, as well as to their own souls, by giving 
us their experience. 



76 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

Patrick Collins, of Dorchester: I rejoice to 
come here, nay Christian friends. I got my first 
love, my first faith, in this meeting. I rejoice to 
meet here with so many Christians. I hope you 
are all Christians. I hope every heart is right. 
I hope every heart comes here full of the Holy 
Spirit. We pray for the Holy Spirit — I hope we 
do, sincerely and devotedly, and that we have that 
Spirit, and carry it with us. Wherever we go, let 
us go in that name. He is over us ; he knows where 
we are ; he hears our prayer, he hears our con- 
versation. 

My friends,I come to tell you that we have con- 
siderable good meetings in the town of Dorches- 
ter — interesting meetings. We have four meet- 
ings on the Sabbath 9 day, and about three meet- 
ings during the week, and the neighborhood 
prayer-meetings. We have a good pastor, who 
encourages us on; and we have reason to be 
thankful for what he has given us and lays 
down for us, from day to day, and from time to 
time. We invite the people all round our neigh- 
borhood to come in when we hold a neighbor- 
hood prayer-meeting, and they flock in. My dear 
friends, we had a very interesting meeting at my 
house last evening. It lasted two hours and a 
half. The pastor was there, and the people came 
from all around, in their carriages and wagons, 
and filled the whole yard with their horses and 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 77 

wagons. The report of the " abundance of the 
sea" came in, and of what is being done here, and 
in other places. As our brother says, I wish every 
shipmaster was as good as he desiVes him to be, so 
that all under his command might become Chris- 
tians, and the " abundance of the sea" be 
converted ; and so that every soul would acknowl- 
edge its Saviour, and He would be in the midst 
of us. 

What a blessing it is to me to be here, my 
Christian friends, this morning ! I rejoice that 
my heart is warm, and that I have got the love 
of God in my heart, and express my desire and 
hope that we are all Christians. Let us perse- 
vere and press forward to that prize which is for 
us to look after. We are all pilgrims here ; this 
is not our continuing city; we have got to look 
after a better and a brighter city. let us, if we 
can, get ready for that, for we know not in what 
day or hour the Son of Man cometh. The young 
may die, and the old must. 0, I confess, I con- 
fess before this audience, that my whole heart, 
my whole soul, is open and willing to express 
my desire to live more devoted and nearer to 
Christ. 

A Voice : How long have you been a be- 
liever, brother? 

Mb. Collins : I was converted a year ago last 
November. I am one of the young converts. 



78 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

♦ 

We have young men's prayer-meetings in our 
chapel, and I call myself one of the young men, 
and join with them. Every night I go there in 
the midst of them ; and I lift up my heart and 
both hands to that that has done me so much 
good, and rejoice that my feet have been taken 
out of the "horrible pit and miry clay/' that I 
have been plucked as a brand from the fire, and 
have given myself to Christ. I desire to live 
more devoted to that Redeemer who suffered so 
much for you and for me. I should like to make 
myself more useful than I am, if I knew how to 
work more usefully. I go to the meetings, and 
I hope I have a desire to be with Christians, 
wherever they are. 

Capt. Girdler: How beautifully David's exhort- 
ation has now come to pass — "Old men and 
maidens, young men and little children, let them 
praise the name of the Lord." Is it not fulfilled 
this morning in our midst ? 

' e My heavenly home is bright and fair ; 
Nor pain nor death shall enter there. 
Its glittering towers the sun outshine ; 
That heavenly mansion shall be mine. 
I'm going home, I'm going home, 
I 'm going home, to die no more ; 
To die no more, to die no more, 
I'm going home, to die no more." 

Dea. Davis, of Somerville : It will be remem- 
bered, dear brethren, that, some three months 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 79 

since, a sailor rose in the back part of this 
room, and was asked to come forward. He did 
so, and said that he had given his heart to the 
Saviour, and had determined to stand up for the 
Lord at all times, and on all occasions. He said 
that he had arrived from New York that morning, 
and was going to join the receiving-ship Ohio ; 
that he felt he was about to enter upon a scene 
of temptation and great trial, and he asked an 
interest in the prayers of Christians here. The 
manifest honesty and sincerity of that man 
appeared to make a deep impression upon the 
meeting, and there seemed to be an unusual fer- 
vor in the prayers on his behalf. I have taken 
some little pains to inquire as to the facts of that 
man's history ; and, as near as I learn, he was the 
instrument, in the hands of God, of the wonderful 
revival now in progress on board the receiving- 
ship at Brooklyn, N. Y. It appears that he was 
a member of the Mariner's Church, in New York, 
and, feeling disposed to do all the good he could 
among his fellow-seamen, joined the United States 
service, for the purpose of coming to Boston and 
being stationed on board the receiving-ship here. 
But it so happened that in a very short time he 
was drafted back to New York. This grieved 
him very much ; it seemed to frustrate his plans 
for usefulness. He found himself on board that 
ship, with seven hundred men, and hardly one of 



80 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

fellow-feeling with himself; and he did not much 
else, for two or three days, but grieve over his 
hard fate. At last, finding two or three others who 
had similar feelings, they talked the matter over, 
and finally concluded that they would have a 
prayer-meeting on board. The man who was 
here the other morning went to the first lieu- 
tenant, with whom he was well acquainted, and 
asked if they could do so. He said, " Certainly; 
and I will see that there is a place provided for 
you." He did provide a place, in the orlop, as 
sailors call it, — the lowest deck in the ship — a 
dark, dismal place. At their first meeting, only 
four were present; but the number continued to 
increase from day to day, until now we are told 
that some fifty have united with the Mariner's 
Church, at New York, as the fruits of this revival, 
and hundreds of others have been affected by it. 
I have no doubt that Capt. Bartlett is better in- 
formed on this subject than I am ; but, as far as I 
can learn, it can be traced to that man who came 
here and asked an interest in the prayers of 
Christians, because he was about to enter upon a 
scene of trial. 

Capt. Bartlett : I believe that statement 
to be strictly correct. A blessed influence has 
gone forth from these prayer-meetings, and it 
will never stop, as long as this world rolls round, 
until every sinner is brought to Christ. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 81 

David Snow: I am glad to see here this morn- 
ing a gentleman who is taking notes of what is 
said. I have been, for some time, deeply im- 
pressed with the conviction that we ought to 
give greater publicity to the manifestations of 
God's power and love which have been witnessed 
in this place. The object of these meetings, no 
doubt, is, to have our hearts warmed up, and to 
be strengthened to go forth and speak a word 
for Christ ourselves : but we want also to diffuse 
the same spirit abroad over the land. We know 
that our religious papers do not convey the intelli- 
gence to the very class of men we wish to reach; 
but, if it is published in the secular papers, they 
will read it, and great good may result. I have 
been frequently asked by brethren from the 
country, " Why don't you publish what you are 
doing in the secular papers, as you did last year?" 
All of us know with how much interest the sec- 
ular papers took up the revival in Xew York, last 
year; what a sale was given to them, and how the 
news went broadcast over the land; and it seems 
to me we have nut done as much as we could in 
this direction. I hope that from this time forth 
the intelligence with regard to our meetings will 
be diffused abroad over the land ; and my impres- 
sion is, that if any secular paper wants to have a 
wide circulation, it must report the proceedings 
of such meetings as these. • 
6 



.82 OLD SOUTH PKAYER-MEETING. 

Dea. J. W. Kimball: It seems to me that 
we should send our minds out over the whole 
field of God, and consider the various objects for 
which we come here. We are all brothers and sis- 
ters in Christ. One brother is interested in one 
way, and another in another. One comes here to 
have his faith strengthened, or to be improved in 
some way. Another comes here to have his 
sensibilities touched, not that they may be con- 
sumed upon himself, upon his own gratification, 
but that he may receive a fresh impulse to labor 
for the salvation of his fellow-men. But there 
may be others who come here to inquire, "What 
is the message of the Lord to us to-day ? " Our 
brother in the chair has read, this morning, one 
of the most beautiful lessons in the Bible; and 
we could never improve, if we were to live a 
thousand years, upon the lesson contained in the 
Scripture narrative. Eemember the case of the 
leper. It seems a very simple thing to ask Christ 
to cleanse away our sins, but we all know that it 
is a good while, after a man is awakened, before 
he can ask in a proper way. It is not enough 
to repeat the words : it is only when we feel 
that if Christ do not save us we are lost, that we 
can pray effectually. Then we look up and say, 
" Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." 
And when we do that, Jesus says, " I will : be 
thou clean." 



OLD SOUTH PRATER-MEETING. 83 

Dea. Bates: If there are any young con- 
verts present who would wish to speak a word, 
we should be happy to hear them. If there are 
any who have lately received the blessing who 
feel a desire to speak, if it is but just a word, we 
should be happy to hear it. 

" The morning light is breaking, 
The darkness disappears, 
The sons of earth are waking 
To penitential tears. 

" Each breeze that sweeps the ocean 
Brings tidings from afar, 
Of nations in commotion, 
Prepared for Zion's war." 

Dea. Homer then offered the following prayer : 
thou, who art the God of our salvation, we 
thank thee for thy preserving care to the present 
moment ; and now that we are all before thee in 
this place of prayer, professedly to unite before 
thy throne of grace, lifting up our hearts in 
prayer to thee for thy blessing, may the Holy 
Spirit descend from heaven and dwell contin- 
ually in each of our hearts, that we may offer up 
our prayer in faith and humble confidence in the 
name of Jesus Christ, our advocate. We thank 
and praise thy name, Father, for our experience 
during the past week in these meetings. We 
thank thee that now that we are brought to the 



84 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

last day of the week we are permitted again to 
assemble in the place of prayer. We thank thee, 
our Father, for the encouragement and informa- 
tion we have received this morning in regard to 
the multitude of our fellow-men who " go down 
to the sea in ships. 77 We desire to pray for the 
captains, for the officers, for the seamen. God 
of mercy, remember this interesting class of our 
fellow-men. Thou art the confidence of the ends 
of the earth, and of them that are far off upon 
the sea. We pray thee, most merciful God, 
to remember this class of our fellow-men, as they 
are so often exposed to the dangers of the sea, 
and so often exposed to the snares and tempta- 
tions of the ungodly who surround them. 
Saviour, in mercy, plead for them, we pray 
thee, and cause the divine influence of thy Holy 
Spirit to be poured out in great mercy upon 
them. Bless the Seamen 7 s Homes throughout 
the land ! Bless the Bethels, wherever they are 
established ! Bless all those who are engaged in 
promoting thy cause among seamen ! 

And now, our Father, w r e unite our prayers to 
thee, this morning, for thy blessing upon thy 
ancient covenant people, the Jews. This is their 
Sabbath day ; and we pray thee, Lord God of 
our salvation, to be present in the midst of all 
the assemblies of this class of our fellow-men, 
as they shall meet together in their synagogues 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 85 

throughout the land. Saviour, Immanuel, 
Lord with us, be in the midst of these assemblies 
to-day ! thou, God of Abraham, of Isaac, and 
of Jacob, remember thine ancient covenant 
people to-day, and grant that they may be 
brought to the knowledge and acknowledgment 
of Jesus of Nazareth, the Lord our Righteous- 
ness. 

Our Father, hear the prayers of thy people, 
and may thy dear children here renew their 
strength. May they be prompted by the power 
of the Holy Spirit to go forth to duty to-day and 
every day. Here may we renew our strength, 
that we may mount as on wings of eagles, that 
we may run in our Christian course, and walk 
and not faint. And, Lord, we pray thee to 
guide and protect us in our journey and pilgrim- 
age through the world. Help us to fill up our 
days with usefulness and duty, that we may 
honor Christ our Saviour daily, that we may be 
prepared and fitted for that rest which remains 
for the people of God. And, our Father, on 
that great day, when thou makest up thy jewels, 
let not one of those present here be missing, but 
may we all appear at Christ's right hand in glory, 
washed in the blood of the Redeemer, and fitted 
to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb forever. 
Amen. 

Dr. Giles Pease : It is pleasant to contem- 



86 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

plate the work of God that is carried forward in 
this city, in our commonwealth, in the land ; and 
among the nations ; and it is worth while very 
frequently to take note of our own personal con- 
dition in regard to the work of grace that is 
going on. It is written, " Thou hast created 
all things ; and for thy pleasure they are and 
were created. 77 — " God has made all things for 
himself." 7 — " Blessing, and honor, and glory, and 
power, be unto him that sitteth on the throne, 
and unto the Lamb forever. 77 God also, in his 
address to his covenant people, wherein he de- 
scribes what mighty things he would do for them, 
uses this language : " I do not this for your 
sakes, house of Israel, but for mine holy name's 
sake. 77 Now, we shall do well to keep contin- 
ually in mind the reason why God is making him- 
self manifest in his glory to ourselves person- 
ally, to the city, to the state, to the country, and 
through the world. It is to glorify and exalt 
his own name. It is not on account of any per- 
sonal merit of ours, or any worthiness of his 
covenant people. It is to magnify the riches of 
his glorious grace in Jesus Christ, and show what 
the mercy and grace of God can do. This, then, 
is an argument we may always use with him — 
" For thine . own sake, my God. 77 We may 
plead always the glory of his name in the fulfil- 
ment of his own promises respecting Zion, and 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 87 

the interest and advancement of his kingdom in 
the earth. Let this, then, be our continual plea. 
He permits us to desire and ask for the manifest- 
ation of his glory — " Father, glorify thy name.'* 
We are not to seek it for our own interest ; we 
are to have no personal interest in this matter 
any further than we are interested in the glory 
of God. If we are saved, it will be through no 
merit of our own, but for the glory of God's 
grace. AYe must pray, ,/; For thy name's sake, 
pardon thou mine iniquity." For Jesus' sake 
— not for your sake, but to magnify his glory — 
he has taken your feet out of " the horrible pit 
and miry clay." Let us pray. 

Blessed God, there is none in heaven whom 
we would adore but thee, and none on earth that 
we desire in comparison with thee. We desire 
that thou shouldst be exalted, and that thy name 
should be glorified, and thine alone. Xow we 
come to ask thee, our Father in heaven, let thy 
name be hallowed in all the earth. 0, let it be hal- 
lowed by those who have hitherto, for a long ' 
period of time, been accustomed to profane and 
blaspheme thy dear and blessed name. Oright- 
18 Father, gracious Saviour, send the Holy 
it to open the eyes of such to see their guilt 
and condemnation by Bin, and their need of the 
atoning blood of Jesus : and we pray thee now 
to turn their hearts to thee, that they may lift up 



88 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

their voices in prayer for mercy. Lord, disen- 
thrall the souls of our fellow-men in bondage 
to sin and Satan. Let Satan's kingdom fall as 
lightning from heaven. And 0, thou most 
mighty prince of life and glory, let thine arrows 
be sharp in the hearts of thine enemies, whereby 
they shall be made to feel the need of thee, 
and to submit to thee. thou, most mighty, 
gird thy sword on thy thigh, and ride forth 
triumphantly in the midst of this city, among all 
the people. Enter every dwelling-place, every 
habitation of men in this city, and here magnify 
thy mercy in the disenthrallment of souls from 
the bonds of sin and death. Carry forward the 
work of grace through all the land^ among all 
the nations of the earth, upon the land and upon 
the sea. Let the fulness of the sea be converted 
to thee. Great God, we pray thee to move by 
the power of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh, and 
let all flesh together rejoice in the salvation of 
our God. 

Now prepare us for the duties that devolve 
upon us individually to-day. In our varied rela- 
tions, give us to understand what thou wouldst 
have us to do, the work in which thou wouldst 
have us engage ; and do thou prepare us for the 
coming Sabbath, and meet with thy people in 
their usual places of convocation for worship. 
Strengthen thy servants, the ministers, to open 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 89 

their mouths and speak boldly in the name of 
•Christ, in all fidelity, sincerity, and affection, and 
with supreme regard for thy glory, and absorbing 
concern for the salvation of lost souls. Pour 
out thy Spirit upon Zion in all her borders, 
quickening our people, strengthening their faith, 
augmenting their zeal, for thy blessed name's 
sake. Amen. 

One verse was then sung : 

" We are pressing on to Canaan's land, 
Never to come hack any more, 
To join the blood-washed pilgrim band, 
Never to come back any more. ' ' 

Mr. Dunbar, of New Bedford : I rejoice 
that I ever found a Saviour whose practice and 
habit is to save those to the uttermost who come 
unto God by him. When he healed the blind 
man, he did not leave his sight dim ; when he 
unstopped the ear of the deaf man, he could 
hear perfectly. Jesus Christ came into the world 
to save man as perfectly from his sins as he is 
by nature perfectly free from righteousness — 
save them to the uttermost. My Saviour is a per- 
fect Saviour; he is a perfect Saviour, and I thank 
God that he can, and does, save those to the 
uttermost that come unto God by him. Man, 
by the power and grace of God, has accom- 



90 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

plished considerable in this world, but yet he has 
hardly made a beginning. Man is like a compli- 
cated machine, or, if you please, like an instru- 
ment of music. We will liken man to a great 
organ. He never, never can give forth the 
music he was created for, until the great Archi- 
tect, the mighty God, who constructed him, has 
the handling of him altogether. It is verily pos- 
sible for us to lean towards heaven, lean very 
hard towards heaven, by our profession, and yet 
go towards hell by our practice. 

Now, I have been made to rejoice in this place 
of worship. I do not know that it will do any- 
body any hurt if I say that this is the freest place 
I have found anywhere yet. I remember going 
once- into a silversmith's establishment, where 
there was a great furnace, in which the silver 
was melted, and I noticed that the silversmith, 
after he put his metal into the crucible to be 
melted, every now and then lifted up the cover 
and looked in. After he had done this several 
times, my curiosity was excited, and I asked him, 
" What do you do that for ? ; > Said he, " When I 
can see my face in the metal, then it will make 
the choicest jewels. 7 ' Well, that man gave me a 
sermon. The lord puts us in his crucible, and 
when we reflect his image, then we are the most 
useful, then we make the choicest jewels. 

I do not know that it is my place, but I wish 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 91 

to suggest that we have an evening meeting. I 
see some young men here, and perhaps I had 
a little to do with getting them to come in; but 
no glory to Dunbar for that. The other day, a 
young man came into a shop, puffing a cigar, and 
pretty soon he saw a card stuck up like that one 
[pointing to a card over the pulpit], — " Stand 
up for Jesus. " "What is that for?' 7 he asked. 
He had opened the way, and I thought I could 
do no less than try to instruct him what it was 
for. I did so, as well as I knew how : and pretty 
soon I saw that, notwithstanding his assumed 
carelessness, there was a heart full of deep feel- 
ing in his bosom. He has come in here, and 
perhaps others like him ; but the opportunities 
for inquiry are not great. But I hope that 
the gentleman who is taking notes here this 
morning will write this down for a fact, not to 
be rubbed out, that the Old South Church shall 
be the Bethesda, or the furnace, if you please, 
not only to melt the people (for it is one thing 
to melt a substance, and another to mould it), but 
to mould them into the image of Jesus Christ, 
that they may go forth, and let their light shine, 
and bring forth fruit unto God. 

Mb. 1>. IT. HENSHAW: I wish to say a word 
on the advance- which religion has made since 
my boyhood. I recollect reading in a religious 
newspaper, nearly fifty years ago, that it was un- 



92 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

civil, impolite, and improper, to introduce tlie 
subject of religion in stages, in public houses, in 
any public assemblies, or in any places which 
were not expressly religious. This was a reli- 
gious paper, — so-called. Now, we find that the 
secular press is employed in spreading abroad 
the proceedings of these meetings, and they help 
the cause of religion very much. This class of 
people [the editors and conductors of the secu- 
lar press] is a most important class in the com- 
munity, and yet they are never mentioned in our 
prayers. I have alluded to this subject once 
before, and perhaps twice. They have more 
influence in the community than the ministers 
have, and yet they are passed over. But they 
have, of their own will, taken up this subject, 
and spread the intelligence with regard to it all 
over the land. I think many thanks are due 
the secular press for w T hat they have done in this 
matter. 

The meeting then closed with the Doxology : 

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; 
Praise Him, all creatures here below; 
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; 
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. V6 

The following letter from the Daily Prayer- 
Meeting in Portland, Me., was sent to the Old 
South Prayer-Meeting: 

Portland, August 17, 1853. 

To the Members of the Prayer -Meeting held for 
so many years at the Old South Chapel, in 
Boston, Mass. 

Beloved Brethren and Sisters in the Lord : 

At our prayer-meeting, held daily at the Read- 
ing-Room of the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion, a gratifying letter from you (through your 
committee, the venerable Dr. Jenks) was read 
Wednesday, the 15th instant, and the reading of 
it gave much pleasure to those who were pres- 
ent. On motion, the subscriber was appointed a 
committee, to communicate to you an expression 
of that pleasure, with such other remarks as the 
subject would naturally suggest. 

the origin. 

Our meeting, like most good undertakings, had 
a small beginning. At a vestry service in one of 
our churches, with eight or ten present, the sub- 
ject was introduced, quite incidentally, about 
the desirableness of having a morning meeting 
established, similar to the one in Boston. At 
the next regular conference of that church, the 
subject was introduced again, freely "remarked 



94 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

upon, and a committee was appointed to bring the 
matter before all our evangelical churches, sug- 
gesting the appointment of a similar committee, 
by each church, for general conference. The 
object was, if possible, to secure an intelligent, 
united, and efficient action. The plan succeeded. 
A large committee assembled ; the conference 
was spirited and harmonious. A morning prayer- 
meeting was appointed, for July 30th, to be per- 
manent, every day, except on the Sabbath. 

ATTENDANCE. 

Previous to this morning, we have held sixteen 
meetings. The smallest number, at any time, 
being six — (a very rainy morning, but one 
of our best meetings), — the largest number 
being forty, and the average attendance twenty- 
four. Of this number, there has been a good 
proportion of brethren and sisters, of represent- 
atives from our different churches, of our pas- 
tors, of strangers, and men from all callings, 
ranks, and ages ; while all seemed to find it good 
to be there. 

MEANS OF INTEREST. 

With something of a filial spirit, we have copied 
freely from your model. Among these sources of 
interest, might be mentioned — punctuality, brev- 
ity, variety, religious intelligence, or any thrill- 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 95 

ing incident which may be recited. "As the 
missionary, Mr. Xevins, once said in your meet- 
ing, of our American people, " Each one/'' in his 
turn,. " seems to feel that he has something to 
do, and he does it." 

ENCOURAGEMENTS. 

From the first, our undertaking met with the 
warm approval of the pastors and lay brethren 
in our different churches ; much earnest suppli- 
cation was going up to God in its behalf; it was 
early baptized with a spirit of prayer : and we 
doubt not, as you well suggest, it sprang into 
being in answer to prayer. Yes, it may be one 
of the many remote influences rising up from the 
life of that praying, much-beloved, much-lament- 
ed man of God, the Rev. Dr. Payson. There is 
a great deal of good seed planted in this soil by 
his hand, which must yet have a resurrection. 
The presence of pastors and strangers has often 
inspired us with new hope and courage. The in- 
terest expressed in our meetings by many who 
not be with us, by some who have gone out 
from us, but are still of us. — absent in body, but 
' in spirit, — has increased our faith and 
The warm Christian assurances oi^ sympa- 
thy, interest, and fraternal love, breathing upon 
us through letters like yours, have been as good 
news from a far country. The meeting itself has 



96 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

been of a character more than hopeful. And, 
above all, tokens of the divine presence and 
favor have been marked enough to say, with a 
voice we cannot misinterpret, " Go forward!" 
We are beginning already to feel that the meet- 
ing is no longer a doubtful experiment, but a 
fixed fact. 

EXPECTATIONS. 

We are looking for much good — are we for 
too much? — from this meeting. We confidently 
expect that those who attend will grow more 
rapidly in grace; that those who would come, 
but cannot, will be benefited even by their 
deprivation ;. that those who might come, but 
would not, may be reminded, admonished, and 
profited ; that the sight, to a busy world around, 
of a little band meeting every day at such an 
hour, at such a place, for such a purpose, — the 
voice of Christian exhortatio'n, prayer, and praise, 
mingling with the din of business, — may lead to 
profitable inquiry and reflection ; that the church- 
es in our city may be benefited — as one mem- 
ber rejoices, all may — as one is qurckened, all 
may be ; that the influence upon the city itself, 
in one way or another, may be for good ; that 
our meeting may, as you properly suggest, grow 
up into a happy example of a practical, elevated, 
Christian alliance, so that, to the welfare of souls 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 97 

and the glory of God, many may " behold how 
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell 
together in unity;" — that in answer to united 
and persevering prayer — and is it too much to 
expect? — the Holy Spirit will descend in gentle 
dew, or in abundant showers, sweeping over this 
entire community with mighty power. And who 
f can # tell the end thereof? 0, what scenes may 
yet be witnessed in this morning meeting ! God 
be trusted — God be praised for all! 

We shall remember your request, and hope you 
will remember ours, — "-Brethren, pray for us \" 
Yours, in Christian bonds, 
i (On behalf of the Daily Prayer-Meeting 
in Portland,) 

J. TV. Turner, Committee. 

The following record was made Sept. 3, 1855 : 

" Monday, September 3. 
" At the prayer-meeting this morning, the Rev. 
Dr. Jenks having finished the reading of the let- 
ter Rev, Mr. Turner's) from the Portland morn- 
ing prayer-meeting, it was 

" Moved by Dea. Willis, seconded by Dea. Proc- 
tor, that Rev. Dr. Jenks be appointed permanent 
rv of this meeting, and that he be re- 
quested to write a reply to the letter from Port- 
land, which was ill answer to a letter from us. 
" It is hoped that this correspondence will be 



98 <OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

a channel through which intelligence of revivals, 
and other blessings to churches and individuals, 
sent in answer to prayer, will be communicated 
for our mutual encouragement, improvement, 
and preparedness for the service of God in time 
and eternity. 77 

The following letter, sent to the prayer-meeting 
in Portland, was written by Eev. Dr. Jenks : 

Boston, August 9th, 1855. 

To the Members of the Prayer-Meeting recently 
instituted in Portland, Maine. {Care of Dea- 
con William Hyde.) 

Brethren and Sisters in the Lord : 

This morning, at our prayer-meeting held daily 
in the Old South Chapel, Deacon Willis, formerly 
of your city, communicated from a printed paper 
the gratifying intelligence, which I am permitted 
to enclose, of your formation of a meeting similar 
to ours, and to be holden every morning, except- 
ing the Lord's day. 

The knowledge of this gave to those who were 
present much pleasure ; and, at the motion of 
Deacon Willis, the subscriber was requested to 
communicate to you an expression qf that pleas- 
ure, with such other remarks as the subject would 
naturally suggest. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 99 

In the introduction of this subject to our meet- 
ing, Mr. Willis recalled and mentioned the sea- 
sons of prayer he had enjoyed under the pastoral 
fidelity and Christian zeal of the lamented Pay- 
son, — that beloved man of God and man of 
prayer, whose memory is so precious to many 
among you, and embalmed in the affections of 
so large a portion of the Christian community. 
And, may we not believe, that the recent move- 
ment among you, issuing in the establishment of 
this meeting, from which so much may be hoped, 
has been in answer to prayer? 

Christian friends, it is comparatively easy to 
propose and commence a new course. And to 
continue that course while there are many who 
pursue it, is not difficult. But to persevere, be 
uniform, consistent, vigorous, and animated, in 
sustaining such a meeting as you have resolved 
to hold, requires, you well know, daily and deep- 
felt devotion. Sometimes, for consolation and 
support, a recurrence must be had to the Sa- 
viour's declaration, " Where two or three are 
gathered together in my name, there am I in 
the midst of them:"— Matt. 18 : 20. This thought 
will encourage the few who can be present, and 
who love to be, should the many fail : and He 
who heareth and answereth the prayer of faith 
can u make the little one a thousand — in his 
time." — Isa. GO: 22. The ancient law, in its 



100 . OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

spiritual application, must never be forgotten by 
the people of God. " The fire shall ever be 
burning upon the altar ; it shall never go out." 
— Lev. 6: 13. 

But while past experience teaches us that 
changes of feeling may occur, and we are warned 
to guard against these, and to cherish the desire 
and effort to "grow in grace/ 7 ; ', seems equally 
important to be equally guarded against a cen- 
sorious temper. The Holy Spirit cannot dwell 
in a heart characterized by this disposition. We 
must rather pity and pray for those who assemble 
not with us in these voluntary and precious means 
of spiritual advancement, than blame them. The 
latter course injures ourselves ; the former pro- 
motes our benefit. 

In the prayer-meeting whose members now 
address you, it has been found to be a most 
gratifying circumstance, that professing Chris- 
tians of different denominations could meet to- 
gether, and aid each other in that in which all 
Christians are interested — practical godliness. 
This has seemed to realize, in some degree, the 
anticipations of good Cotton Mather, who says : 
" The period hastens for a new reformation ; 
wherein, as I apprehend, our gracious Lord will 
pass by the various denominations that now ex- 
ist, to form out of them all a new people, who 
will agree together in the great essentials of 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 101 

religion, and sweetly bear with one another in 
their conscientious differences." Nearly five 
years' experience has, with us, been, in this 
respect, a confirmation of that anticipated result. 

We congratulate you, then, Christian friends, 
on the resolution you have adopted, and cor- 
dially wish you a distinguished blessing from God. 
We see in it a " germinant " fulfilment of the 
prophecy of Zechariah 8 : 20, 21, where the 
speaker, who invites to such a service, shows 
his own interest in it by saying, " I will go 
also." 

That you may enjoy the presence and influ- 
ences of the promised Comforter, be yourselves 
advanced in the divine life, experience the satis- 
faction of seeing many engaged with you, and of 
knowing that sinners are embracing the great sal- 
vation and Christians growing in grace, is our 
earnest wish and prayer. And we ask an inter- 
est in your supplications for ourselves, that the 
Gospel may " have free course, run and be glori- 
fied," in this city also. 

Yours, in Christian bonds, 

• (On behalf of the Daily Prayer-Meeting 
in Boston,) 

Wm. Jenks, Committee. 



102 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

REPLY TO THE FOREGOING. 
i 

Portland, August 17, 1855. 

Respected and Dear Sir : 

I received your esteemed and very gratifying 
communication to our union morning prayer- 
meeting, on Saturday the eleventh instant, and 
read it at our meeting Monday morning. The 
weather being unfavorable, the attendance was 
unusually small that morning, and it was judged 
advisable to have it. read at a fuller meeting, 
before any action was taken in reference to it. 

This morning it was read again, to the high 
gratification of. all present; and J. W. Turner, 
District Sec. Amer. Tr. Soc. for Maine, N. Hamp- 
shire, and Vermont, was chosen a permanent cor- 
responding committee to communicate occasion- 
ally through you with the members of the Boston 
morning prayer-meeting. Mr. Turner is now out 
of the city, to be absent several days ; but, imme- 
diately on his return, will doubtless furnish your 
meeting with an appropriate acknowledgment of 
the kind and Christian interest manifested in your 
communication. 

The plan of this effort is in a measure new to a 
great portion of our Christian community, and 
various objections and hindrances operate to 
prevent the attendance of many members of our 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 103 

evangelical churches, whose cooperation and in- 
fluence was much relied upon in carrying out the 
object we had in view. We much needed, and 
we do highly appreciate, just such a cordial as 
your communication administered to us. It was 
" as cold water to a thirsty soul/ ; and seemed 
almost to electrify our meeting this morning. 

We need, we desire, and we doubt not but we 
have 7 an interest in the prayers which ascend to the 
throne of grace, through the only medium through 
which prayer is accepted and answered, from your 
morning prayer-meeting. 

This is not intended as a communication for 
your prayer-meeting, but to advise you, dear sir, 
of the due reception of your esteemed favor. I 
have no objection, if you deem it advisable, to 
your informing that meeting that the reception 
of your communication has been acknowledged, 
and that an official response will be given in a 
few days. 

Mrs. H. unites with me in most cordial and 
respectful regards for yourself and family. 
Yours, very truly, 

William Hyde. 



104 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

Boston, September 25, 1855. 

To the Rev. J. W. Turner, Portland, Maine (to 
be communicated). 

Rev. and Dear Brother ix Christ : 

Your very kind letter of the seventeenth of 
last month was duly received ; but, as at the 
time of receiving it I was confined by illness to 
my chamber, it was not communicated to the 
little assemblage at our morning prayer-meeting 
until more than a week had elapsed. But it was 
heard with great attention, and excited, appar- 
ently, the best feelings of Christian affection and 
fraternal interest. 

On the motion of Deacon "Willis, of Park-street 
Church, I was requested to write you again in 
reply, and was appointed the regular channel of 
communication, in this manner, with yourself, on 
behalf of the meeting in Portland, and others, as 
Divine Providence may order. 

If I do not greatly mistake, there is not merely 
no diminution in the spirituality observable in 
those who take part in the exercises with us, 
but rather an increase of interest, and of depth 
of feeling. This does not seem to vent itself in 
any irregularities of expression or conduct, but 
exhibits a growing attachment to " the truth as 
it is in Jesus." 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 105 

Indeed, what has been, to my mind, the pecu- 
liar charm of this meeting, next to the Christian 
liberty indulged in it, is the reading and remark- 
ing on a portion of the sacred Scriptures, keep- 
ing this holy standard ever in sight. The conse- 
quence seems to be an increasing love of God's 
Word, and a desire of conformity to its spirit. 

A few mornings since, we were visited by a 
foreign missionary brother, whose field of labor 
has been in the islands of the South Sea. There 
he has lived and taught, I believe, about fourteen 
years, in connection with the London Society. 
His errand to this country is, to excite interest 
enough for obtaining a missionary ship to com- 
municate with the people of the different islands, 
as circumstances may require. 

His first communication I did not hear, but 
have understood to be descriptive of the arts 
and efforts of the Romish priests, and their 
friends, the French government, who have taken 
military possession of the islands. The priests 
were forced upon the people by authority, under 
threatening of punishment, and everything was 
to yield to their pleasure. 

The bishop, he said, spread catechisms among 
the natives, who inquired of Mr. Cressy (the mis- 
sionary) what they should do with them. " Bring 
them to me/' he replied, "and I will read them to 
you." They did so, and he showed them what 



106 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

popery is from the books of papists themselves. 
The effect was, that the natives were disgusted 
with them, and declared that they wished to trust 
alone in Jesus Christ for salvation. 

He mentioned that a priest went to the house 
of a chief, and ordered him to cut his hair and 
poicder his head. The chief requested him to 
leave his house, as he would do no such service 
for him. The priest brought a constable to en- 
force obedience, when the chief's son, with a 
bow and arrow, killed the constable. This gave 
rise to a violent persecution of all who would 
not receive the popish priests and ceremonies. 

Mr. Cressy stated that on his way he stopped 
at the Sandwich Islands, was at a general mis- 
sionary meeting, and was much gratified with 
what he heard from the missions there. And, 
with reference to the prayer-meeting he was now 
attending, he remarked, " I am delighted to hear 
that Christians of different denominations meet 
together to pray. We missionaries forget all 
about our denominations. We are Christians. 
I suppose I was a Lutheran once : but I forgot 
all about it. I wish to preach Christ and Him 
crucified — and nothing else." 

We have had frequent reports of the state of 
religious feeling in Old Plymouth, where a work 
of grace has been experienced for several months 
past. Two Christian brethren, of the name of 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 107 

Robbins, have spoken on the ^ubject. One of 
these, who had been a sea-captain, enlarged re- 
cently on the cause of seamen, and urged to more 
prayer on their behalf, knowing well, as he did, 
their character, dangers, and temptations. 

The meeting of the American Board of Mis- 
sions has given much occasion for frequent 
prayer of late with us, as it has, doubtless, with 
you, as well as at the several missionary stations. 
And it is deeply interesting to notice that, in the 
recent account of the meeting, several of the min- 
isters expressed their deep-felt conviction that 
the greatest want, at present, was the gift of the 
Holy Spirit to the church of Christ, in order 
that His cause might go forward with power 
and great effect, and that His salvation might 
speedily reach the nations of the earth. Such 
has been remarkably the feeling of our meeting,' 
and it has often been made the subject of fer- 
vent prayer. I hope we shall hear the same con- 
cerning yours. 

Yours, in Christian bonds, 

(On behalf of the meeting,) 

Wm. Jexks, Secretary. 



108 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 



COPY OF A LETTER SENT TO RICHMOND, VA. 

Boston, July 2d, 1856. 
For the Reverend Pastors of Churches in Rich- 
mond, Virginia? directed to the Rev. George 
Woodbridge, for communication. 

Brethren, Beloved and Respected in the Lord: 
The subscriber, having read with deep interest 
) T our " Address," adopted on the 19th ult., and 
republished in a secular paper of this city on the 
27th, took liberty to read it at a prayer-meeting 
on the morning of Monday last. Circumstances 
prevented its being read before the Sabbath; 
but it was heard with serious attention, and on 
the next morning he was requested, by several 
of those who frequent the meeting, to prepare 
and communicate some suitable response. 

The task is undertaken with sincere pleasure, 
as well as with no little diffidence. For the 
document itself, though by no means long, is in 
its details so comprehensive and appropriate, 
that a repetition of it would seem the very best 
reply, and its echo the almost invariable impres- 
sion on the heart of each American Christian. God 
grant, indeed, that its spirit may pervade at 
length the whole clerical body among us, and the 
members of all the churches of Christ ! 

The appeal is not made at a date too early. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 109 

The various meetings to which you allude, and 
which have been holden in so many localities, in 
order to excite indignation, and administer fuel 
to the flame that threatens to consume our dear 
and boasted privileges, were commenced almost 
immediately on the outbreak of those passions 
which all good men must lament. They called 
for not only a counterbalance, but a preponder- 
ating influence ; and might well have been im- 
agined to require, if they did not invoke, the 
sweet and healing spirit of our common Chris- 
tianity. 

You state, virtually, that, while these " indig- 
nation meetings were frequent, you had not 
known of meetings calculated to allay the rising 
tumult of angry feelings." It will, therefore, 
give you pleasure to be informed that in the 
prayer-meeting whose Secretary now addresses 
you, the distressing subject was early taken up, 
and carried to God. Prayer for our " rulers," 
and legislators, and magistrates, has been urged, 
and often presented. For them the blessing has 
been besought of that "wisdom" which is so 
appropriately characterized by the apostle James 
• first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy 
to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, 
without partiality and without hypocrisy. ,; And 
could there have been a happier selection of 



110 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

words for the purpose, or a more just or happier 
collocation of them? 

In fact, how can Christians expect good rulers 
without taking the trouble to ask of God the pre- 
cious bestowment? Their duty is obvious, 
though so often and grossly neglected. And 
God, long since, declared to his chosen people, 
to whom he promised his special blessing, that 
he would " be inquired of by the house of Israel 
to do it for them." — Ezek. 36 : 37. 

The prayer-meeting to which I have alluded 
has now been holden, every morning of the 
week, for between five and six years. Like your 
own body, it embraces the union of Baptists, 
Episcopalians, Methodists, and Congregational- 
ists. Members of more than thirty distinct 
churches have occasionally been noticed among 
those who attend on it ; and it is truly a union 
meeting. Denominational differences are set 
aside, that prayer may be offered in the spirit of 
Christian harmony and mutual love, for the Lord's 
sake. 

0, that the spirit of grace and supplication 
may be, at this critical period in our history, 
poured out on the church of Christ in all its 
branches among us ! This is what we need, by 
the confession of all serious Christians, to enable 
us to secure for ourselves, and to transmit to our 
posterity, those inestimable civil and religious 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. Ill 

blessing!*, of which you have made so judicious 
and affecting mention. Many of our ministers 
have expressed feelings of this kind since the 
lamented and disgraceful outbreak of lawless 
human passions has called for redress. And may 
not the emergency be used, in the wise and holy 
providence of Almighty God, to endear to Chris- 
tians the cause and kingdom of their common 
Lord, for the prosperity of which they habitually 
pray ? May it not be overruled to teach Chris- 
tians their mutual duties toward each other, and 
to show them wherein their great strength lieth? 
God grant that it may ; and that your own effort 
to recommend and inculcate the development and 
cherishing of every disposition that may " make 
for peace " shall secure the approbation of " the 
God of peace," and avail to establish it among us 
in righteousness ! 

In these sentiments, and on behalf of the mem- 
bers of the prayer-meeting to which I have 
alluded so often, I subscribe myself, most cor- 
dially, Yours in the bonds of the Gospel, 

Wm. Jenks, Secretary. 



SUBJECTS OF PRAYER. 



It has been the custom in the Old South 
Prayer-Meeting to have seasons of prayer for 
specific objects. At one time, the Foreign Mis- 
sionary cause was the subject of prayer for about 
a week, and the attention of the meeting was 
directed to this particular point. Important in- 
telligence from the foreign field was communi- 
cated, and the meetings were exceedingly inter- 
esting. 

The General Government, with the rulers, 
have not unfrequently been especially remem- 
bered in prayers, and occasionally the wickedness 
of high places has been the theme of a whole 
meeting. 

The subject of Temperance has sometimes been 
introduced in a very appropriate manner. The 
existence of more than two thousand liquor-shops 
in the city of Boston, and the general prevalence 
of intemperance, has called forth the most earnest 
petitions from God's people for their abatement. 
The entire hour of the morning has been devoted 

(112) 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 113 

to the contemplation of this subject; and the feel- 
ing has seemed to exist that, if the liquor-shops 
could be closed, the way would be prepared for 
a general work of grace. 

The conductors of the secular press have also 
had a place in the prayers of those who frequent 
the Old South Chapel. The important position 
which they occupied in influencing public senti- 
ment has been commented upon freely, and many 
prayers have been offered up, that "holiness to 
the Lord might be written upon the secular 
papers." 

While four prisoners, mutineers on board a 
New Bedford whaler, were on trial in Boston for 
their lives, one morning was devoted to their 
case, and special prayer was offered up for them. 
The following note was read: " A person present, 
who feels an interest in the young mutineers 
who are now being tried for their lives, in this 
city, requests your prayers for them, that they 
may Bee the heinousness of their sins, and plead 
with Christ to have mercy upon their souls." 

Harvard College wag prayed for, morning after 
oing, during the revival of 1858; and the cheer- 
ing intelligence was communicated, from time to 
tin; dons among the students in that 

of learning. 

Anion- other subjects and classes of men that 
have been particularly remembered in prayer, 



114 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 

are tlie City Missionary Society, the Jews, the 
sailors, the stable-keepers of Boston, &c. &c. 
We mean to be understood, that entire meetings 
have been devoted to prayer for these objects. 

Rev. Dr. Jenks has had much to say, at differ- 
ent times, upon the necessity of confining the 
prayers to specific objects ; and he, at one time, 
presented the following list of subjects to be 
prayed for at different times : 

" Grace to pray aright ; personal salvation ; 
growth in grace ; families and friends : Christ's 
church in the world, of all names and every 
branch ; sinners of mankind — all not truly con- 
verted ; efforts to save them, as missionaries 
abroad and at home ; the stated ministry ; the- 
ological seminaries and colleges, officers as well 
as pupils ; Sabbath-schools, teachers and super- 
intendents, as well as scholars ; public schools, 
the instructors and pupils ; the young in gene- 
ral ; parents and guardians ; maternal associa- 
tions ; Christian associations of young men ; 
Bible, tract, and other Christian societies ; direct- 
ors of the public press ; city missions ; all civil 
officers ; the rich ; the poor ; poor children, and 
whatever institutions exist for them ; prisons, 
penitentiaries, and hospitals for sick and insane, as 
also asylums for the age.d ; fulfilment of Scripture 
promises in the coming of God's kingdom ; also, 
the Jews, Mohammedans, Romanists, Deists, Mor- 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 115 

mons, and all errorists ; also the oppressed and 
ill-governed ; the native Indians ; the seamen, 
and stable-keepers. 7 ' 

At another time, Dr. Jenks exhorted to prayer 
as follows : 

Prayer. — 1. u Lest any permit themselves to 
ridicule. — l Be ye not mockers, lest your bands 
be made strong. 7 

2. " Lest any neglect to avail themselves of 
the blessing now so freely offered, and appar- 
ently accepted by so many. — For, ' How shall 
we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? 7 

3. u Lest any satisfy themselves with a false 
hope, either not realizing the ( sinfulness of sin, 7 
and God 7 s justice in condemning it, or build- 
ing on some other foundation than that which 
God has laid — even Christ — to be received by 
faith in all the characters and relations he bears 
in the Scriptures. 

4. " Lest professing Christians should be 
remiss in the discharge of the obligations laid on 
them at this special season — their responsibility 
being great. ' Without me, 7 said the Saviour, 
1 ye can do nothing 7 effectually. 

5. " Lest anything be permitted to transpire 
which may f grieve the Holy Spirit. 7 

6. u It is easier, apparently, in a time of re- 
vival, to embrace the Gospel/ than in a time of 
declension in religion, as is obvious to every one: 



116 OLD SOUTH PEAYER-MEETING. 

for ' now 7 — and blessed be God for it ! — 'is the 
accepted time ; now is the day of salvation/ 
"March 18, 1858." 

During periods of religious interest, written 
requests for prayer have been sent in, sometimes 
in large numbers. Some of the cases presented 
have been exceedingly interesting, and have 
called forth agonizing prayers. We give below a 
few specimens of these notes : 

" Prayers are requested for a husband who is a 
stranger to Christ. 77 

"A mother requests prayer for two sons, the 
subjects of many prayers, that they may be 
speedily converted. 77 

" Prayers are requested for a church in , 

that the Holy Spirit may be poured out, and a 
general revival prevail in the place. 77 

" A father requests prayers for a son at sea, 
that he may, while on the deep, give his heart to 
Christ. 77 

"Prayers are requested for three brothers in 
the meridian of life, who are still out of the ark 
of safety, that they may be brought into the fold 
of the Great Shepherd. 77 

"Your prayers are earnestly requested for a 
young man of fine talents, who was dedicated to 
God in his infancy. His mother, now in heaven, 
prayed often and urgently for him. He now 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 117 

seems fast approaching a drunkard's grave. 
Nothing but the grace of God can save him. 
Pray for him, while his anxious father pleads with 
and prays for him. 

A Believer in Prayer.'* 

"Strangers from a town in Maine, whose heart- 
have long yearned towards these meetings, are 
here this week, and earnestly request your 
prayers for that place, where there has been no 
revival for more than twenty years, that God 
would now have mercy upon us. and pour out 
his Spirit in great measure, and gather in a great 
harvest of souls, who shall be to his praise and 
glory. Will it be too much to ask, that this re- 
quest may be remembered during the remainder 
of this week?'* 

"A wife and mother begs your prayers for a 
husband and eight children, only one of whom 
gives evidence of piety. " 

"Special prayer is requested in behalf of a 
widow's son who is now taking the early steps in 
drunkenness, that he may be converted to the 
Lord Jesus Christ.'' 

"A lieutenant in the navy, at the Fulton-street 
prayer-meeting, about to sail, requests prayers 
for himself and crew.' 7 

"Prayers are desired for the head of a family. 
who is sceptical upon the subject of religion, 
that he may be led to the cross." 



118 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

"Pray for a young man who has gone home to 
-, to die. He has no hope in Christ. 



"Your prayers are earnestly desired for a 
young woman who knows the way, but is yet 
careless and unconcerned." 

There is every reason to believe that many of 
the prayers offered up in the Old South Chapel 
have been answered in a special, and in some in- 
stances in a remarkable manner. Persons who 
have sent in requests have risen, afterwards, and 
said they wished, in that public manner, to ac- 
knowledge God's goodness in answering the 
prayers which had been offered up in the chapel. 
One man said that all his children, four in num- 
ber, had been converted, in answer to prayers 
of the meeting. Another said, " Brethren, some 
little time ago, I asked you to pray for my son, 
that he might be converted. I received a letter 
from him yesterday, with the joyful news that he 
had given "his heart to Christ." There have been 
many cases like this — cases which have been so 
marked that no one could doubt that prayer had 
been heard and answered. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 119 



THE REVIVAL OF 1858. 



About the time the revival of 1858 commenced, 
there was an increased spirit of prayer among 
the attendants at the Old South Chapel. The 
faith of God's people seemed to be growing- 
stronger every week. They carried the entire 
city to the throne of grace. Without regard to 
denominations, they wrestled with God, and seemed 
continually burdened with souls. The ministry 
was prayed for nearly or quite every morning. 
Soon, a cloud no bigger than a man's hand was 
seen. For seven years, every morning, prayer 
had been sent up to the Most High for the salva- 
tion of souls, and now the blessing seemed to be 
at hand. The meetings began to fill up. Young- 
converts began to rise and tell what God had 
done for their souls. Persons rose for prayers. 
Christians felt encouraged. They not only 
prayed, but they labored. It was not long be- 
fore the chapel was filled to overflowing, includ- 
ing the pulpit, gallery, both aisles, and all the 
passage-ways. The room below was opened, 
and both were filled to their utmost capacity. 



120 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

The meetings were intensely interesting. Some- 
times the whole audience would be bathed in 
tears. The place seemed filled with the blessed 
influences of the Holy Ghost. The crowd was 
so great that it was found necessary to provide 
further accommodations. A committee was ap- 
pointed to secure, if possible, other rooms where 
meetings for prayer might be held. In a few 
days, the Central Church (Orthodox Congrega- 
tional), the Bromfield-street (Methodist), the 
Rowe-street (Baptist), and afterwards the Trin- 
ity Church Chapel (Episcopal), were opened 
every morning. The rooms of the Christian 
Association w r ere also opened at five o'clock and 
nine o'clock, P. M., the young men doing the 
most efficient service in gathering clerks and 
others into the place of prayer. A noon meet- 
ing was also commenced in North-street, under 
the direction of Father Mason. These last two 
have continued up to the present time, and in 
connection with them large numbers have been 
converted. The place in North-street was so 
much crowded, that the Seamen's Bethel (Father 
Taylor's) was also opened. Sinners flocked to 
these meetings as doves to their windows ; and 
yet, notwithstanding the multiplication of places 
for prayer, the number at the Old South Chapel 
scarcely diminished. An inquiry meeting was 
held in the basement of the chapel, every morn- 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 121 

ing, for some time, at the close of the regular 
meeting. Clergymen who chanced to be present 
were invited to meet with the inquirers, and 
about twenty or thirty were hopefully converted 
before they left the room. 



THE BUSINESS MEN'S MEETING. 

On the 8th of March, a noon business men's 
prayer-meeting was commenced at the Chapel. 
For a day or two previous, placards were posted 
about the streets notifying the public that such 
a meeting would be held at twelve o'clock, and 
would continue for one hour. The very first 
meeting was crowded, and, it has been held on 
every secular day, without interruption, since that 
time, including all the public holidays. It was 
started by those who attended the morning meet- 
ing, and the committee which had charge of one 
had charge also of the other. Crowds flocked 
to the Chapel, at that business hour, the busiest 
of the day. The merchant left 'change, the clerk 
his counting-room, and at high noon, prayers 
went up "like an incense-cloud from hearts that 
never falter." It was a spectacle such as Boston 
had never before seen. Some clerks, in their 
anxiety to attend the meeting, took their dinner 
hour, from twelve to one o'clock, and spent it in 
the Chapel. For a long time, the place was 



122 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

thronged with business men. Merchants from 
the country, who came to the city to purchase 
•goods, sought the meeting. The Holy Spirit 
was there, and blessings rich and full descended 
upon the people. It seemed as though the year 
of jubilee had come. Men who had long lived in 
sin — young men, in the very morning of life, 
and old, gray-headed men, at the eleventh hour 
— rose to give in their testimony in favor of 
the power of God 7 s grace. Those were melting 
scenes, and oftentimes the tears ran down the 
cheeks like rain. The large audience would be 
sometimes startled and electrified, as a young 
convert would rise and tell what God had done 
for his soul. The songs of praise from male 
voices were inspiring; and, as some one would 
strike up, in the right time, the words, " All hail 
the power of Jesus' name/ 7 it seemed almost as 
though the songs of heaven had begun below. 
One of the clergymen of the city, who was pres- 
ent at one of these meetings, caught the heaven- 
ly flame, and said he felt like standing still, and 
saying, " Glory to God in the highest, on earth 
peace and good-will to men. 77 

During the summer and autumn the meetings 
dwindled down to thirty or forty, but still there 
were enough to support it well. As the cold 
weather approached, and the religious interest 
throughout the city increased, the meeting again 



OLD SOUTH PBAYER-MEETIXG. 123 

filled up, and continued deeply interesting through 
the winter. 

We give below a condensed report (taken 
from the Congrecjationalist) of the anniversary 
of the meeting, held March 8, 1859. 

ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOSTON BUSINESS MEN'S 
UNION PRAYER-MEETING. 

The Anniversary of the Business Men's Union 
Prayer-Meeting of Boston was held in the Old 
South Chapel, on Tuesday afternoon last, at three 
o'clock. Most of our readers are aware that 
this meeting has been regularly held, every day, 
Sunday excepted, at twelve o'clock, noon, for one 
year. It was established on the 8th of March, 
1858. Although Tuesday last was quite stormy, 
yet the chapel was well filled at an unusual hour. 

Deacon Edwin Lamson occupied the chair. 
The meeting was commenced with singing the 
hymn, 

" Come, thou Almighty King, 
Help us thy name to sing." 

Deacon Boynton, of Lynn, offered the first 
prayer, after which all joined in singing the 
hymn, 

" A charge to keep I have, 
A God to glorify." 

After reading a few verses of Scripture, Dea- 
con Lamson gave a brief history of the organ- 



124 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

ization of the meeting. A committee was ap- 
pointed by the morning meeting to select a room. 
It was thought by some that Paneuil Hall would 
be the best place ; others preferred a room on 
State-street. An effort was made, without suc- 
cess, to secure the room where the brokers held 
their meeting. It was decided, however, to 
commence in the Old South Chapel, as, 'on the 
whole, the best place ; and the meeting has been 
continued, without interruption, to the present 
time. The wave of salvation which visited the 
city at the time the meeting was established had 
subsided ; yet God had again appeared in mercy, 
and was now converting large numbers in differ- 
ent parts of the city, principally among the poor. 
He then gave an account of the conversion .of 
two or three men, one of whom was brought to 
the knowledge of the truth at this meeting, and 
the other was awakened at the same place. He 
thought the Holy Spirit had been present in a 
very peculiar manner at this business men's 
prayer-meeting ^luring the entire year. 

Other remarks were made by Mr. Arthur Mer- 
rill, of Cambridge ; Mr. Amos Tappan, of New- 
buiyport ; Dea. Henry Hoyt, Mr. M. H. Sargent, 
Mr. F. A. Choate, of Beverly; Dea. Holland, Mr. 
S. G. Deblois, Mr. David Snow, Dea. J. P. Brad- 
ford, of Jamaica Plain ; Rev. Phineas Stowe, Mr. 
H. Hamlin, Mr. Blanchard, and Dea. Proctor. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 125 

Nearly every one who spoke gave an account 
of one or more conversions in connection with 
the meeting. One of the speakers said that 
about a year ago a man was induced to attend 
for the first time, without his dinner. At the 
close, being obliged to go to his store, he bought 
some crackers. Some one said to him, " I guess 
you have n't had your dinner." — " Yes, I have," 
said he ; " I have had the best dinner I ever had 
in my life. I have been to the prayer-meeting." 
This was said to two persons, both of whom 
afterwards went to the meeting, and all three 
were hopefully converted. 

Instances were related of persons from the 
country who had attended the meeting, and had 
gone home to establish prayer-meetings, some 
of which had been continued up to the present 
time. 

An account was given of some who, by attend- 
ing the meeting, had been induced to establish a 
prayer-meeting in a private house, where ten, at 
one time, arose for prayers, and where a number 
had been converted. 

Some one spoke of the conversion of a lawyer in 
connection with the meeting. He very gradually 
came into the light. On a certain Sabbath day 
he was tempted to open his law-books for the 
purpose of preparing a case for the court. His 
eye rested on the Bible, and upon opening it the 



126 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

first passage that met his eye was the one relating 
to the man who gathered sticks upon the Sab- 
bath day, and was stoned. He closed the law- 
books, and has not opened them on the Sabbath 
since. He is now trusting in his Saviour. 

Another stated that he believed the number 
who had received their first serious impressions 
at the noon prayer-meeting could be counted by 
scores. 

The following hymn, composed by Mr. Hodges 
Eeed, of Taunton, was sung in Auld Lang Syne, 
the whole congregation standing : 

" Into this place, a year ago, 
To seek the heavenly boon, 
Men pressed and spent the passing hour, 
Where the flocks do rest at noon. 

" They came in crowds, — those business men. 
Their ledgers laid aside, 
Their Mammon-worship left a while, — 
And to the Saviour cried. 

" They sought the better pearl, and found, 
* At length, the heavenly boon; 
And now they love to gather here, 
Where the flocks do rest at noon. 

" Still, Mammon claims the larger half, 
And few his power withstand ; — 
Pray, business Christians, pray for one 
More year of God's right hand. 

" Lord! incline the careless ones 
To seek the heavenly boon ; 
And may they find it good to meet 
Where the flocks do rest at noon." 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 127 

One young man rose near the close, and said 
he wished to state that the meeting had been the 
means of leading him to the Saviour. Another, 
in middle life, said he thought he ought to testify 
that the meeting had had a great influence over 
him in his efforts to find the cross. 

One man rose for prayers, after which Deacon 
Charles D. Gould addressed the throne of grace, 
asking God to appear for that man, and cause 
him to rejoice in Christ. 

A hymn, composed by Mr. H. Hamlin, com- 
mencing 

" Stand up for Jesus ! though the world 
May scorn the banner here unfurled. 
Hail, King of Kings! I choose thy part, 
And grave that motto on my heart ! ' ' 

was then sung. 

Thus closed a meeting which will never be for- 
gotten. Although it was held two hours, the 
time seemed short. It was an heavenly place, 
and it seemed to those who were there that the 
Saviour was present as one of the number. As 
verses of hymns were struck up, such as 

" My heavenly home is bright and fair," 
" All hail the power of Jesus' name," &c, 

it seemed as though all hearts were in unison 
with the glorified spirits on high. 



FACTS, INCIDENTS, CONVERSIONS, ETC. 



The following facts, related at the Old South 
Chapel, and incidents connected with the meeting, 
are given without any regularity, or without any 
reference to dates. Some of them are very re- 
markable, and must convince every one who 
reads, of the mighty power of God, and his won- 
drous love in the conversion of sinners. 



A Whole Family. — Some one stated the case 
of a girl of twelve years who went to a Sab- 
bath-school a few weeks, and then was taken 
sick. Her physician informed her intemperate 
father that his daughter must die. He went to 
her bedside, and told her that she must die. She 
answered, "I am going home," — " Going home V 
said the father. — " Yes ; my teacher has taught 
me the way to heaven — that is my home. Will 
you pray?" The father said that he could not 
pray. She told him to kneel down and she 
would pray. He followed her, and before he 
arose from his knees he had found mercy, and the 
spirit of his daughter had gone home. Since 

(128) 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 129 

that time the whole family have been brought 
into the kingdom. This whole family was saved 
by a Sabbath-school teacher giving instruction, 
a few weeks, to a girl twelve years old. 



Sabbath-school Results. — A young girl in 
this city, of twelve years of age, was gathered into 
the Sabbath-school, and she and her mother have 
both been converted, and have connected them- 
selves with the church. 



A Catholic Converted. — It was stated in the 
Pulton-street Prayer-Meeting, that a Catholic 
woman, who was passing by, turned in to see what 
was going on. What she heard deeply affected 
her, and she sent in for prayers the next day. 
She passed a sleepless night until the morning 
dawned. At that time the light of the Sun of 
Righteousness broke into her dark heart. 



The Result of Oxe Visit. — In a town in Xew 
Hampshire, where a portion of the inhabitants 
are Christians, there was one family that seemed 
unaffected by the influence that surrounded them. 
A Christian visited them, conversed with all the 
members of the household, and found the way 
prepared for his reception. In a few days after 
this, the minister of the place heard a knocking 
at his door, at midnight. He arose, and found 
9 



130 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

the father of this family had come to ask him to 
pray for him. Before the dawn of day, he ob- 
tained a sight of the Sun of Righteousness. 



At the Eleventh Hour. — A revival took 
place in Connecticut, where nearly all the adults 
in the village were subjects of the work. Among 
this number was an old man seventy -five years 
of age. He took delight in doing things that 
would grieve the people of God. Some of his 
own children were converted, and he saw that a 
change had been wrought in them that man 
could not effect. If it is necessary for them to 
have religion, he reasoned, why should not I 
have it? He knew that he must obtain it soon, 
or die without it. He went to his chamber, took 
his Bible and read, and then knelt down to pray. 
In trying to pray, he found that his heart was 
very hard, and the more he prayed the worse he 
felt. He finally found that he must come to 
Christ just as he was. He felt like poor Jack : 

" I am a poor sinner and nothing at all, 
And Jesus Christ is all in all." 



A Convert of Twelve Years. — It was stated 
that a girl was converted in the Sabbath-school, 
at the age of twelve. She lived two years after 
she was brought into the kingdom ; but before 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 131 

she died, she brought twelve or fourteen of her 
associates to Christ. She ivorked while the clay 
lasted. This teas the secret of her success. 



Great Addition to a Sabbath-School. — A 
brother who had lately visited Connecticut stated 
that in one society sixty-four members of the 
Sabbath-school had been received into the 
church, and in another seventy-two. 



What a Wife can do. — A certain woman in 
New Hampshire, at the close of a prayer-meeting, 
requested the minister to accompany her to her 
house. Her husband was an avowed Universal- 
ist. The wife was conscious that she had not 
been faithful to her husband. She requested her 
husband and the minister to go into another 
room, knelt down at the feet of her husband, and 
made a most humiliating confession of her un- 
faithfulness. The husband turned pale, and 
trembled like an aspen-leaf. The strong cries 
and tears of the wife led him to cry for mercy. 
Within four weeks he was rejoicing in hope. 



The Power of the Bible. — A little girl had 
been attacked with sudden pain in the head 
which ended in blindness. She was taken to an 
eminent oculist, who pronounced her incurable 
She wished to know what the doctor had -aid 



132 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

about her state, and her mother told her. " What ! 
mother/ 7 exclaimed the child, " and I am never 
more to see the sun, nor the beautiful fields, nor 
you, my dear mother, nor my father? ! how shall 
I bear it ?" She wrung her hands, and wept bit- 
terly. Nothing seemed to yield her the slightest 
comfort, till her mother, taking a pocket-Bible 
from the table, placed it in her hands. " What is 
this, mother ?" inquired the disconsolate little 
girl. — " It is the Bible, my child." Immediately 
a score of its most consolatory passages pre- 
sented themselves to her mind, such as, " My 
grace is sufficient for thee," "Cast thy burden 
upon the Lord." She paused, turned her poor, 
benighted eyeballs toward the ceiling, while an 
angelic expression played on her countenance, 
and then, as if filled with the Holy Spirit, breathed 
forth, in an impassioned but scarcely audible whis- 
per, " Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heav- 
en ," and went on her way rejoicing. Such was 
the wonder-working power of that blessed book. 



A Covenant-keeping God.— A mother of thir- 
teen children, all unconverted, lay upon her dying 
bed calm and serene. She was asked how she 
could die so composedly, when her children were 
all out of Christ. She replied that she had con- 
secrated them all to God, and he was faithful to 
his covenant. She fully believed that they would 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 133 

be brought into the Kingdom. She further said 
that, instead of rejoicing over their conversion in 
this life, she expected that as their repentance 
one by one was announced by the angels, to join 
with them in praising God for bringing them into 
his Kingdom. God did as this dying mother 
expected he would do. Within five years of her 
death, all her children were converted. 



A Mother's Prayers Answered. — In a distant 
town, a mother prayed for her boy. Those 
prayers followed him as he set sail on a long voy- 
age. When in foreign ports, he procured tokens 
of affection for the dear mother at home. The 
captain gave orders " to fasten down the hatches, 
and take a homeward course." His heart 
bounded with joy at the idea of again being 
greeted with a mother's kiss. Alas for human 
hopes ! Before night, he met with an accident 
that deprived him of both limbs; his com- 
panions bore him to his berth. Said he, " Ship- 
mates, it is a hard thing to die ; but I must go. 
Read to me from the Bible my mother gave me : 
read to me of Jesus." One who sat by his bed 
read, " Create in me a clean heart." — " 0, cannot 
you read something more?" — " Jesus came into 
the world to save sinners," and " he is able to 
save, even unto the uttermost, all that come 
unto him." — "How can I come?" the sailor 



134 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

inquired. — " As a child unto its father," his ship- 
mate replied. — "I will, I do believe." The next 
morn, his companion felt that death was very 
near, and, hearing him whisper in a low, sweet 
voice, bent his ear, and caught these words: 
"He's come, he's come!" His friend asked, 
u Who has come?" — "Jesus/'" he replied, and 
fell asleep. 

"Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep, 
From which none ever wake to weep." 



Prayer on Shipboard. — A brother stated that 
five months ago a sailor was converted at North- 
street, and soon after sailed for England. He 
lately returned, and reported the conversion of 
nine of the crew on the outward voyage. When 
the ship arrived at Liverpool, on the Sabbath, 
they hoisted the union jack, to indicate that a 
prayer-meeting was to be held in their ship. 
They expected only a few; but, to their astonish- 
ment, the deck was thronged, and seventeen 
sailors asked for prayers. 

A sailor arose and said that twenty-eight years 
ago he found Christ on the coast of Holland. 
Wherever he has been since that time, he has 
stood up for Jesus. 



Confession and Conversion. — A merchant in 
one of our Atlantic cities said to a friend, "I 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 135 

wonder why none of lny clerks have been con- 
verted?" His friend replied, "Are you aware 
that you have a hasty temper, and often find un- 
necessary fault with your clerks, and manifest a 
wrong spirit in your business?' 7 The merchant 
was conscious that he was verily guilty ; retired 
to his closet, confessed his sin, and deeply 
humbled himself before God. The next morning- 
he called his eleven or twelve clerks together in 
his counting-room, told them of the agony of his 
mind, asked their forgiveness, knelt down and 
prayed. Two of those clerks were convicted in 
that counting-room before they left, and within 
one week were converted, and in a short time 
three more. 

That merchant achieved a victory over himself 
that he had never gained before. 



Conversion of a Truckman. — The following 
interesting fact was presented at one of the 
meetings. It related to a man who ran away 
with a companion to California. The latter was 
taken sick, and while prostrated with disease he 
was greatly distressed about his soul, but died 
without hope. The first-named man said, to use 
his own language : 

"I felt very bad for a while, but soon became 
more hardened than ever. I returned home, and 
became engaged in driving a truck. About three 



136 OLD SOUTH PRATER-3IEETIXG. 

months since. I was much concerned about my 
soul, so much that I could not sleep nights. 
There was no one to comfort me. and I had no 
friend on earth or in heaven. 

" One clay, as I was driving my truck through 
Court-street, and was just turning into Tremont- 
street. I thought of my soul. All was dark, and 
no one cared for me. Driving through Tremont- 
street. I saw the bulletin out at Park-street 
Church, with the words on it. ' Stranger — Trav- 
eller — Friend — come in.' I drove my truck on 
the other side of the street, and went in. A man 
was speaking about free salvation. 'All.' said 
he. • may come, if they will. Christ is ready to 
receive every broken-hearted sinner.' 

•'•' 0. my heart was broken. A man offered 
prayer, that Christ would have mercy on all that 
w^re in their sins. My heart was so full I could 
hold out no longer. I gave myself soul and body 
to him. for I could do no less. I felt great peace 
in my heart. I left the house rejoicing in Christ 
my Saviour. I then drove my horse to the Prov- 
idence depot. I cannot tell you the joy I felt. 
I was full of love to God. I thought the hogs- 
heads of molasses were so light that I could 
take them under my arm. and that I could step 
the whole length of my truck: I never felt such 
joy and peace before. Thus God blessed me ; 
and I now rejoice in him with all my heart." 



old south prayer-meeting. 137 

The Grace of God can Save the Drunkard. 
— A man about fort) 7 years old was seen in the 
inquiry meeting, one morning, soon after the ser- 
vices in the chapel were over, with a mournful 
countenance, deeply anxious for himself. An 
invitation was extended to all in the room who 
would there give their hearts to the Saviour to 
take a seat on one of the front settees. Several 
came forward; but this man, though under power- 
ful convictions, as might be seen from his coun- 
tenance, hesitated. The brother having charge 
of the meeting fixed his eye upon him, and urged 
him to accept of salvation, and to take one step 
in that direction by coming forward. Still he 
seemed to lack courage. Then these words were 
sung : 

<c I '11 go and tell him all I 've done, 
Fall down before his face — 
Father, I 've sinned, but, 0, forgive ! 
I '11 seek a servant's place." 

All present sympathized deeply with this man. 
Finally, he arose in his seat and gave vent to his 
feelings in this wise : iL I have been for the last 
twenty years a drunkard. Time and again I have 
been picked up in the streets beastly drunk, 
and carried home to my family. My poor wife 
and children have suffered terribly by my con- 
duct. Recently my little daughter got upon my 
knee, when I was somewhat myself, and looked 
me in the face and eye, with a tear starting in 



138 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 

hers, and said, '0, father, why won't you leave off 
drinking? Do, father; it makes mother feel so 
bad, and we all suffer so much on your account ! 
I wish you would, father.' 

" That look and that tear/ 7 said he, " broke 
my poor heart, and I cried like a child at my own 
wreched condition, and the condition of my 
family — all the result of my own wicked life. I 
promised then that, by the grace of God, I would 
reform. I wish you would all pray for me ; I 
need help." 

He then came and knelt down with others, and 
prayer was offered, — effectual prayer, we believe, 
— and this man, noble by nature, was brought 
from darkness into life. He soon left the room 
with a cheerful countenance, resolved to devote 
his life to Christ. This man was for some time 
after a constant attendant at the meetings, and 
frequently spoke. He said there was no place 
so dear to him as the Old South Chapel. It was 
there God rolled off the burden of sin from his 
soul. About a year after, he rose up at a meet- 
ing and spoke of the happiness he enjoyed then 
in his little family. " We pray and sing together," 
said he, "and harmony, peace, and love, pervade 
our dwelling." 



Do Pray with me, Father. — The following 
was related at the meeting. A young sailor 



OLD SOUTH PRAYEB-MEETING. 139 

stood up and said that he was a great sinner 
against God and against his mother ; for he had 
stolen fifty dollars from her, and had run away 
from home and been to sea. " Pray for me," said 
he. Prayer was offered up to God for him. He 
gave his heart to God before the meeting closed. 
His countenance was lighted up with joy. "I 
went into the country to see my brother," said 
the man who related the fact. " He was sick on 
the bed. I told my mother about the young sailor 
that stood up and said, pray for me. My brother 
heard it as he lay on the bed, and it led him to 
inquire what he must do to be saved. He asked 
his mother to pray with him,-and she did. He 
asked his sister to pray with him, and she did. 
He then asked his father to pray with him ; but 
he could not, for he had never prayed for him- 
self. 'Do pray with me, father; do pray with 
me, father ! ' — 'I cannot, my son.' My brother 
died very happy, looking up with a smile and 
saying, ' I have found the Saviour. ' His father 
is in great distress about his soul, the words of 
his son 'still sounding in his ears, 'Do pray for 
me, father; do pray for me, father ! ni 



A Sister's Prayers. — His father was a 
wealthy man, and a devoted Christian. This 
young man was very wicked, a Sabbath-breaker, 



140 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

gambler, and everything that was bad. He 
boarded in my family ; I think I never knew so 
wicked a man. He left his father's house, went 
to sea, was gone some time — returned, then 
went on the Mississippi River, gambling on board 
the boats. Then he came back to New York, 
and went to the Five Points. There his friends 
found him, took him away — and he was shut up 
for some months. He was invited to go to a 
prayer-meeting, and went. His mind was much 
troubled about his soul's salvation, and he finally 
gave his heart to the Saviour. He is now a happy 
man, and says, " I never should have been saved 
if it had not been for my sister; for she prayed 
for me night and day, with one arm on the 
Saviour of the world, and the other on me. 7 ' 



Prayer and the Card-Table. — A young 
man in the State of Maine, having given himself 
to the Lord, and found peace in believing, was 
determined, as he said, to stand up for Jesus. He 
soon went West. Sailing down the Mississippi 
River in the steamboat, one night as he was about 
to go to bed, he found a table in front of his 
berth, and round it were twelve men playing 
cards, cursing and swearing. "What shall I do?" 
said he to himself. " I will go to the captain and 
make a complaint." He went as far as the gang- 
way, and he thought to himself, "I will not go ; 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 141 

but will go back and do my duty, and offer up my 
evening prayer to God." He went back, and 
knelt down at first to pray to himself: but soon 
there was a burden resting upon him, and he be- 
gan to cry aloud to God to have mercy upon those 
about him. How long he prayed he did not 
know, but when he had done, the men were all 
gone. He went to bed. 

A short time after this, he was walking in one 
of the streets in Cincinnati, when two men 
crossed and came up to him, and took him by the 
hand, and said, " Do you not know us?" — "No," he 
said, "I do not." — "Do you not remember praying 
when we were playing cards on board the steam- 
boat? " — "Yes, I do."— "Well, that prayer was 
the means of our conversion to God." They after- 
wards said that five more of that twelve who sat 
round that table were rejoicing in hope of eter- 
nal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. 0, what 
power there is in prayer ! 



A Young Convert's First Prayer. — A young 
woman in L. gave her heart to Jesus, and found 
peace in believing in the Saviour. She went 
home at night, and found in her room six young 
ladies. They said to her, " Well, you have become 
a Christian, have you?" — She said,"! hope I 
love the Lord." — " Well, I suppose you love to 
pray." This was said with a sneer. She replied, 



142 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

"I hope I love to pray to my Saviour.' 7 — "Will 
you pray with us ? 77 This was a trying moment 
with her, for she had never heard her voice in 
prayer, nor prayed with any one. She thought a 
moment, and said, "I will pray with you, if you 
want me to." She knelt down and prayed for 
them. The next day was Christmas day, and she 
met them again, but under very different cir- 
cumstances. They were all under deep convic- 
tions of sin, and said, " Will you pray for us ? n 
— She said, " I will. 77 All knelt down, and she 
prayed with all her heart. They cried and 
prayed for themselves, and soon found peace in 
believing, and in six weeks from that day, they 
all united with the church of God. 

Thus God heard her first prayer, and blessed 
her in the conversion of six of her friends. 



While he was Praying the Blessing Came. — 
A young man in the city of New York had a 
father and mother living in this state. His 
mother was a devoted Christian, but his father 
was not. He felt great anxiety about the salva- 
tion of his father, and began to pray for him, that 
he might become a Christian. At last he said, I 
will go and see him. He took the steamboat from 
New York, and immediately began to pray for 
him, that he might give his heart to God. He 
went to his state-room at night, and, kneeling 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 143 

down, he began to pray ; and God rolled upon him 
such a burden that he prayed all night that God 
would have mercy upon his father. He did not go 
to his father's house for two or three days after 
he arrived in Massachusetts. He first saw his 
mother, as his father was at work in the field. 
She said to him, " Your father is an altered man ; 
he has given his heart to the Saviour, and is 
rejoicing in hope." He inquired at what time it 
was that his father found peace, and she said it 
was on such a night, the very time that he was 
praying for him on board the steamboat. 



Too Wicked to Pray. — The following fact was 
related at the meeting in the month of March, 
1859. About a year ago, one of the teachers of 
the Old Colony Mission School, in Boston, found 
a Scotch family, by the name of Logan. There 
were four children, three of whom were brought 
into the Sabbath-school. The mother had been 
in favor of having the children attend, but the 
father was opposed. He was profane, and intem- 
perate, and a Sabbath-breaker. The oldest boy, 
named Willie, entreated his father to go to the 
Sabbath-school, and at last succeeded in induc- 
ing him to attend. When he returned from the 
school the first time, he told his wife that the 
children would get no harm there, and that they 
might go. He was then invited to attend the 



144 OLD SOUTH PRAYEIi-MEETJNG. 

six-o'clock Sabbath-evening prayer-meeting. He 
went, and told his wife afterwards that he 
thought he would not go again. When the next 
Sabbath came, however, he went, and continued 
to go every Sabbath, ever afterwards, with his 
wife and with three of the children. He soon 
gave up profanity and drinking, and his mind 
became deeply impressed with the importance of 
attending to the subject of religion. In a short 
time, he desired to have a prayer-meeting at his 
house. It was held, and special pains were taken 
to have him understand his obligations to God, 
and his duties as a parent. He was urged to read 
the Bible and pray. He said he was too wicked, 
and that if he attempted to pray the floor would 
break under him, so great were his sins. He was, 
however, still urged to pray. The next Sabbath 
evening after this, he rose in the six-o'clock meet- 
ing, said he was a great sinner, and urged God's 
people to pray for him. He became deeply dis- 
tressed, and was in an agony of mind. A few 
words said at one of the meetings impressed him 
deeply. He could neither eat, sleep, nor work. 
He was a blacksmith by trade, and he said it 
seemed to him that he could not lift his hammer. 
He remained in this state of mind for three 
weeks, his convictions growing deeper with 
every week. On one Sabbath night, he promised 
to yield himself to the Saviour. He went home 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 145 

and read the Bible until twelve o'clock at night, 
and tried to pray. He got no sleep until towards 
morning. When he awoke, he thought he saw 
some one standing at his bedside. He looked, 
and thought he saw Jesus Christ. It seemed to 
him like a reality. While looking, his burden 
dropped from him, and he was light and happy. 
He rose from his bed immediately and prayed. 
and told his wife that he had found the Saviour. 
Since then (December, 1858), he has felt the 
greatest interest in his old companions. His 
wife was soon hopefully converted. A family 
altar was immediately erected, and happiness, 
temporal and spiritual, have since followed him 
day by day. 



A Conscience Quickened. — At the Business 
Men's Prayer-Meeting, it was stated that a hard- 
ware merchant, in Xew York, said that religion 
ought to be carried into all our business transac- 
tions. We ought to be the same on the week 
days as on the Sabbath ; the same in the counting- 
room as at the communion-table. A manufac- 
turer, who had furnished him with goods, followed 
him to his store, and said, " I was in the meeting, 
and heard what you said. I have to confess that 
for the last five years I have charged you five 
per cent, more than I have any of the rest of my 
customers. I now wish you to take your books, 
10 



146 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

deduct five per cent, from all my bills, during this 
time, and charge it to me. 77 A few days after, the 
same merchant said that he had several hundred 
dollars paid to him that had been due twenty-eight 
years. There had been no time ; within twenty-five 
years, when the same man could not have paid 
the debt. His conscience had lately been quick- 
ened by the power of the Holy Spirit. 



Personal Effort. — During the past year, a 
young man in this city was converted, who since 
that time, by personal effort, has been enabled to 
bring twenty-five or thirty persons into the king- 
dom of Christ. 

A young man from Springfield, who resided in 
this city a short time, was converted at the 
Young Men's Christian Association, returned to 
his native city, and by personal effort has brought 
thirty individuals to Christ. 

The last member of a Sabbath-school class in 
this city professed religion last Sabbath. Sev- 
eral recent conversions, the result of personal 
efforts in this city, were stated to have taken 
place. Great would be the company of preachers, 
if every professor of religion would preach the 
word wherever he goes. Such a simultaneous 
effort would gather in a glorious harvest of 
souls. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 147 

Standing up for Jesus. — The hymn of Wesley 
was sung ; 89th of the Selection: 

" Jesus, thy blood and righteousness 
My beauty are, my glorious dress ; 
Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, 
With joy shall I lift up my head." 

An interesting fact in connection with this 
hymn was stated. 

A young lady in England, belonging to an aris- 
tocratic family, was converted by the instrument- 
ality of the Wesleys. Her father was very much 
enraged. He made a party of pleasure, and told 
his daughter that she must play the piano for 
them to dance, under the penalty of being disin- 
herited and driven from his house. The party 
took the floor ready to commence the dance, and 
she took her seat at the piano ; but, instead of 
playing a dancing tune, she sung and played this 
hymn. The company were greatly surprised and 
deeply affected. The result was, that the father 
and all the family were converted, and became 
firm friends of the Wesleys as long as they lived. 
This young Christian stood up for Jesus. 



Conversion and its Results. — It was stated 
that an intemperate seaman was converted by the 
agency of a daughter, fourteen years old. She 
entreated her father to come to Christ, knelt 



148 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

down and prayed for him. This so affected him, 
that he forsook his cups, and came to Jesus. 



The following hymn, composed for the Old 
South Prayer-Meeting, by Hodges Reed, Esq., 
was sung in the month of February, 1859. 

From day to day, from year to year, 

We in this chapel bowed, 
And called upon the God of heaven, 

And watched for mercy's cloud. 

Seven times we watched, seven times we prayed, 

And still no sign was given ; 
The earth beneath our feet was dust, — 

Above, the brazen heaven. 

Faith wavered, and hope languished, too — 

" Save, or we perish, Lord ! " 
Then rose the cloud from out the sea, 

And blessings on us poured. 

Like a strong wind the Spirit came, 

And breathed upon the slain; 
Fast fell the rain, and all around ' 

The earth grew green again. 

This place has been the gate of heaven — 

Thy promise, Lord, is sure ; 
And we will still, from day to day, 

Pray on, and doubt no more. 

And while we pray and labor on, 

The sound of rain we hear : 
Again let clouds o'erspread the heavens, 

And plants of grace appear. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 149 

A Countryman Converted. — An individual was 
invited to attend a neighborhood prayer-meeting, 
consented to go, but afterwards declined. He 
had come from the country to the city to get 
rum. This he could not obtain in the place 
where he resided. He thought that if he should 
become a Christian, he must forsake intoxicating 
drinks. This was the reason why he declined to 
go to the meeting. But, on the evening of that 
meeting, he strayed by the house where the 
meeting was held, and stopped on the sidewalk ; 
he heard prayers requested for a young man who 
had refused to come to the meeting. He heard 
enough to know that he was the person prayed 
for. This deeply affected him. He trembled 
like an aspen-leaf, and on the sidewalk cried for 
and obtained mercy. He returned to his home, 
set up a prayer-meeting, and about twenty per- 
sons have been converted. 



The Cloud Lifted Up. — At a neighborhood 
meeting, in this city, after several brethren had 
prayed, one impenitent person knelt down, and 
cried, sobbing aloud, " God be merciful to me a 
sinner!" Others prayed for her. She arose from 
her knees, saying, " The cloud is lifted up. 11 
While they were calling on God, he heard and 
answered. 



150 old south prayer-meetixg. 

The Deaf and Dumb embracing Christ. — 
Rev. Mr. Turner, Principal of the Asylum for 
the Deaf and Dumb at Hartford, was present at 
the meeting this morning, and gave some very in- 
teresting facts relating to the conversion of a 
number of deaf mutes, connected with the insti- 
tution. A young man now in the asylum, and 
who was there when a boy for five years, and 
then left, went, when about sixteen years of age, 
as an apprentice to learn the machinist business. 
He remained at the trade until he was twenty- 
one, and when he had earned fifty dollars he left 
his place, and went to the asylum for the pur- 
pose of gaining more knowledge. He had been 
there but a few weeks, when Rev. Mr. Turner, 
the principal, received from him the following 
note, which we give verbatim : 

" I repent of my sin, and trust in Christ. I do 
not sleep all night. I feel great trouble and 
misery. I confess sin to God one month since." 

He did not understand the language very well, 
and meant by this that he had been one month 
confessing his sins. Mr. Turner gave him good 
instruction ; he soon was converted, and has been 
an exemplary Christian ever since. His fifty 
dollars carried him through six months of the 
asylum. He is now going through another six 
months, at the expense of the institution. A 
short time since, Governor Banks was at Hartford, 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 151 

and made the acquaintance of the young man ; 
and, learning his anxiety to obtain an education. 
promised him a year's tuition, at the expiration 
of his six months, in May, at the expense of the 
State of Massachusetts. 

Mr. Turner also stated that, some little time 
since, two of the deaf mutes attended a prayer- 
meeting in a village near by. It was proposed 
in the meeting that prayer should be offered for 
them. All eyes were of course turned to them. 
One of them afterwards said he noticed this, but 
did not know what it meant. He became seriously 
impressed at the meeting, and he and his sister 
were both, subsequently, and in a very few days, 
converted. This fact was given to show how 
prayer was answered. 



Fear God rather than Man. — A salesman 
had sold a bill of damaged goods to a customer. 
The clerk, in making out the bill, said, " You are 
aware, I suppose, that these are damaged goods." 
The customer refused to take them. The sales- 
man said to the clerk, " You have prevented tiie 
sale of these goods. It was a cask trade, sir: 
it was a cash trade, and you have prevented the 
sale, and I will report you to the firm." The 
clerk said, "When? I am ready to go with you 
now." The salesman declined going, fearing 
probably that he should be rebuked, as one oi' 



152 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

the firm had lately become a Christian. The clerk 
was a youth of nineteen, but feared God rather 
than man. 



Judges and Astronomers. — A brother from 
Ohio stated that the work of grace was still 
progressing in that state. In Cincinnati a band 
of brothers has been formed, who in turns go 
out into the surrounding regions to hold prayer- 
meetings. Among this number are Judge Storer, 
one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and 
Mitchell, the celebrated astronomer. 



Before we call, He answers. — A minister 
from Ohio said that if he wished to send a mes- 
sage to his family and receive a speedy answer, 
he went to the telegraph office and transmitted 
it over the wires, and in a moment the answer 
returns. The heart is the telegraph wire over 
which prayer ascends to heaven, and gracious 
answer speedily returns. Before Ave call, He 
answers, and while we are yet speaking, He hears. 
The same brother said that when he was labor- 
ing in a place, there was a sister who lived some 
seven miles from the church, who wanted him to 
come and preach at her house. She had an im- 
penitent husband and children. Before the meet- 
ing began, she retired to her chamber; when she 
came down, her face shone like Moses'. After 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 153 

the sermon, persons who wished to converse on 
the subject of their salvation were invited to 
remain. The whole assembly stopped, and were 
in tears. Before the meeting closed, the husband 
and one daughter gave their hearts to Christ. 
That was the commencement of a revival that 
spread through the neighborhood. God heard 
the prayer of that single sister. 



None too Wicked. — Rev. Mr. Cable, of Ohio, 
said that a gentleman in Albany asked a minister 
to pray for him. The minister, in turn, asked 
him if he would give his heart to Christ, " What, 
a heart so wicked as mine?" — " Yes, a heart so 
wicked as yours. Will you do it? Christ is 
willing to receive you just as you are. Will you 
come as you are ? " — "Yes, I give myself away; 
it is all that I can do. 7 ' At that moment, he did 
what he had been trying to do all his life long. 



Converted Warrior. — A dream of a con- 
verted warrior, of the Polynesian Islands, was 
related. Me, the chief, not long before he died, 
told Mr. Williams, the missionary, that he dreamed 
that he was leading on his tribe to battle, and 
there arose a mountain which reached to heaven, 
that prevented the fight ; suddenly he saw a drop 
of blood fall upon it, and it vanished; a beautiful 
plain appeared in its stead, and the sky beyond 



154 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

looked very glorious. He gave Mr. Williams 
this interpretation : The mountain was Me 7 s sins, 
and the drop of blood which fell upon Me 7 s heart 
was Christ's blood, and washed all his sins away. 
Me died the next day. 



An Actress Converted. — A pious seamstress, 
of New York, nearly reduced to starvation, 
sought guidance from her heavenly Father, and 
implored his aid. While on her knees in prayer, 
some one knocked at the door ; she opened it, 
and was met by a fashionably-dressed female, 
who proved to be an actress. She wished to 
procure the services of the seamstress in making 
dresses for the stage. The poor girl replied, " I 
cannot do it until I ask direction from my 
heavenly Father. 77 Accordingly she knelt down 
in presence of the actress, and prayed first that 
she might be led to do her duty, and finally that 
the actress might be led to renounce her sins, 
and flee to Christ. In a few moments she was 
kneeling, mingling her tears with those of the 
seamstress. As they arose, the actress said, " I 
will take these things home — I shall never need 
them. Henceforth I will be a follower of Christ. 77 
She is now a noble Christian woman. 0, the 
power of Christian consistency ! 



Drunkard Converted. — In a town in this 
vicinity, one person said to another, " Let us go 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 155 

over to Mr. B 's to a meeting." — "What 

meeting ? " said he. — " To a prayer-meeting." — 
" Why, he is drunk, and has not been sober this 
five years." — " But," says the other, " he has 
become a sober, praying man." This man and 
several others soon found peace in believing, and 
are now standing up for Jesus. 



What Manufacturers can do. — It was stated, 
also, that there is a manufacturing village, about 
fifty miles from Boston, employing about three 
hundred and fifty men, who are received into the 
establishment upon the condition that they at- 
tend public worship, pay their proportion to- 
wards sustaining the institutions of religion, and 
abstain from intoxicating drinks. It is mostly 
under the direction of several brothers. One of 
these brothers has, for many years, been the leader 
of the singing choir. He is now near the close 
of life, and fears not to die. On the last Sabbath, he 
saw the Sabbath-school by classes. He was de- 
sirous to see them once more, and hear them 
sing. In this village God has poured out his 
Spirit, and about sixty individuals have been 
brought into the kingdom of God. God honors 
those who honor him. 



Farm-School in Portland. — A letter was read 
stating that the Superintendent of the State Farm- 



156 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

School in Portland sent into the morning prayer- 
meeting a request for the conversion of the 
teachers, and within two weeks four of them 
were converted. 



Remember the Clerks. — A brother at that 
prayer-meeting said that he had a clerk with 
whom he had labored, and for whom he had 
prayed in vain. He went to his closet, one morn- 
ing, to ask God what more he could do that he 
had not done. It was strongly impressed upon 
his mind that he must go immediately and be- 
seech him to come to Christ now. He went to 
his residence and inquired for him, and he was 
still in bed. He was shown to his chamber, 
knocked at his door, and was admitted. He fell 
upon his neck and wept. He asked, "What is 
the matter ? Is your wife dead, or any of your 
family? 77 He still continued to weep, but at 
length said, "I am distressed for your soul. 77 He 
replied, "If you are so distressed for my soul, I 
can hold out no longer. 77 They knelt down and 
prayed, and the clerk submitted to the Lord 
Jesus Christ. He that goeth forth weeping, bear- 
ing precious seed, shall doubtless come again 
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. 



Whipped for going to the Sunday-School. 
— Several Catholics have been converted lately 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 157 

in New York. A priest went with a cowhide to 
whip the heresy out of a brother and sister who 
had recently renounced the Mother Church. The 
brother dared him to come on; but he was cowed, 
and dared not attempt to use the cowhide. A 
child of Catholic parents was whipped because 
he went to the Sunday-school. He asked if that 
was all. His parents answered, "Yes." Then 
said he, "I shall go to the Sunday-school again, 
next Sabbath. 77 He has now become an efficient 
teacher in the same school. 



God so Loved the World. — Another young 
lady had got tired of living in this world, and 
made preparation to commit suicide. As she was 
about to perpetrate the crime, the light from a 
church shone into her window, and she thought 
that she would once more visit the house of God. 
When she entered the vestibule of the church, 
the minister announced his text, "God so loved 
the world." When she heard this she said, " God 
must love me ; I will not destroy myself, but will 
come to God through Christ. 77 This she did. 



Singular Conversion. — It was also related 
that a certain man, last spring, stood and looked 
at people as they went into the Old South Chap- 
el, and remarked that "they had better be at 
work than spending their time in that manner. 77 



158 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

He was, however, persuaded to go and see for 
himself what they did. He had been seated but 
a short time before he felt that God was there. 
He found himself weeping. He cried for mercy, 
and the Lord heard his cry. 



Influence of the Meeting. — A brother, who, 
some months ago, was converted by seeing the 
people coming out of the Old South Chapel with 
smiles upon their countenances, and by their ap- 
pearance seeming very happy, was present. He 
said that he had found and enjoyed the same 
happiness in Christ that he witnessed in others. 

Another brother said that he came to this city 
about a year ago, not to seek religion, but to find 
amusement and business. He fell into the com- 
pany of those who were attending the prayer- 
meetings, and he went with them. The Old 
South Chapel was the place of his birth, and if 
he should live until the fifteenth of March he 
should be one year old. 



While he called, the Answer came. — A 
young man in Detroit requested prayers for a 
friend in New York city, and that very night re- 
marked that he felt as though somebody was 
praying for him. This impression led him to 
pray for himself. It was said of him, as of Saul 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 159 

of Tarsus, "Behold, he prayeth ! " He was brought 
to Jesus. It came to pass before they called 
that God answered, and while they were yet 
speaking that God heard. 



The Bible among Catholics. — A brother 
from a town in the vicinity stated that a young 
Catholic had visited him several times, to obtain 
a knowledge of the way of salvation. He came 
by night, lest his countrymen should waylay and 
beat him. He has renounced the superstitions 
in which he was trained, and is reading the Prot- 
estant Bible with a desire to know what God 
teaches. The same brother also said that in a 
town in Rhode Island several hundred Bibles had 
been sold to the Catholics. 



Conversion of a Catholic Priest. — A gen- 
tleman from Philadelphia gave a detailed account 
of a recent conversion of a German Catholic 
priest. He had officiated as priest in his own 
country for nine years. His eyes were partially 
opened to the falsity and wickedness of the 
Catholic system before he came to Philadelphia, 
last spring. He was inquiring after the truth, 
and was directed to a German Baptist minister 
as an instructor. This minister opened his pulpit 
for him to expose the falsity of the Catholic re- 
ligion. This he did with a good deal of ability. 



160 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

His instructor then told him to preach Christ. 
He selected for his subject the forgiveness of the 
penitent thief. Up to this time he had been re- 
lying upon his own righteousness. He saw that 
the thief had no good works on which to depend. 
He was forgiven by faith in Christ. This truth 
sent an arrow of conviction into his own soul. 
He now received Christ as the end of the law for 
his righteousness. He clearly apprehends the 
way of salvation through the blood of Jesus, that 
cleanseth from all sin. He is now preaching 
among his countrymen in Philadelphia the faith 
that he once destroyed. 



No Work on the Sabbath. — Rev. Mr. Hook- 
er said, a young sailor came to his study to ask 
what he should do to be saved. On a whaling 
voyage, he had twice come very near losing his 
life. He formed the resolution that if he ever 
got home he would devote himself to Christ. 
This he did, and sailed again as mate of the ship. 
The last that he had heard of him was that he 
had lost his place because he would not harpoon 
whales on the Sabbath. 



The Receiving Ship North Carolina. — A 
communication was read from the sailors aboard 
the United States receiving ship North Caro- 
lina, Brooklyn, N. Y., in the following words : 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 161 

" January 25th, 1859. 
" On board of the receiving ship North 
Carolina, three hundred seamen, in a state of 
anxiety, request the daily prayer-meetings in 
Boston to remember them at the throne of grace, 
before which we bow in prayer ; that you beg 
for Christ's sake that they may be converted; 
that God would glorify the riches of his grace 
in their salvation. The Lord is pouring out his 
Spirit in great power upon this ship, and seventy 
seamen have been converted. Conversions are 
daily taking place. 

" In behalf of the ship's company. 

Yours, in the bonds of the Gospel. 
"L. G. Bingham." 



Thanksgiving. — It has been the custom, for 
the last few years, to hold the prayer-meeting on 
Fast and Thanksgiving Day in the Tremont Tem- 
ple. At the meeting held in that place Novem- 
ber 25, 1858, the following resolutions were 
presented by Rev. Martin Moore, and adopted : 

" Wliereas, It has pleased the Great Head of 
the Church copiously to pour out his Spirit upon 
this land the past year, and he has by treaty 
opened the way for the preaching of the Gospel 
in the Chinese Empire : Therefore, 

" Resolved, That we will come into his presence 
11 



162 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

with thanksgiving, and enter his courts with 
praise, and bless his holy name for the gift of the 
Holy Spirit the past year ; and we will this day 
pledge ourselves to work for him the coming 
year. 

" Resolved, That we recognize the hand of God 
in disposing the four great Christian powers to 
insist that, in making their late treaties with the 
Chinese Emperor, the Christian religion should 
be freely tolerated. This has opened a door for 
preaching the Gospel to four hundred millions 
of the lost race of Adam. 

"Resolved, That while the Chinese Empire is 
white for the harvest, it has pleased the God of 
all grace to pour out his Spirit upon our semina- 
ries of learning, to prepare laborers to enter into 
this field. 

" Resolved, That in view of the events of the 
past year, we will thank God and take courage. 77 



The following has been sent to the editor for 
publication in this book : 

" On Wednesday, the seventeenth of last March, 
the writer (who had often been to the morning 
meetings) attended, for the first and only time, 
the twelve-o'clock meeting at the Old South 
Chapel. The room, as was usual at that season, 
was crowded, and a deep solemnity pervaded all 
hearts. Among the requests for prayers was 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 163 

one from a wife, for the conversion of her 
husband. 

" I was impelled to make some remarks, urging 
upon Christians the duty of speaking to friends 
and strangers upon the all-important subject of 
religion ; and instanced the practice of Harlan 
Page in New York, who would sometimes stop 
strangers in the busy thoroughfares, and, with 
peculiar tenderness and emotion, often with 
tears, ask them if they loved the Saviour. 

" The meeting closed at the usual time, and in 
going down stairs I met a gentleman of my ac- 
quaintance. After expressing my pleasure and 
surprise at seeing him there (though I had 
before invited him to come), and his remarking, 
l I stopped on my way to the bank/ we separated. 
I would here remark that I was in the constant 
habit of meeting him in the cars, and of speak- 
ing to him. The next day I missed him in the 
cars, but, on Friday morning, in stepping on 
board, he grasped me by the hand, and said, < 1 
am a happy man now.' He then, with much 
feeling, gave me in substance the following ac- 
count : 

" ' Yon saw me at the prayer-meeting, Wednes- 
day ; I went there with little other feeling than 
that of curiosity, but, after that request for 
prayer, and especially your remarks that fol- 
lowed, I was completely melted. After the 



164 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

meeting I returned to the office, and soon took 
the cars for home, in great distress of mind. I 
immediately sent for my minister, and, with a 
breaking heart, cried, " What must I do ? " He 
talked with and prayed for me, but still the bur- 
den was not removed. After he left, my wife 
came, and you may imagine her joy, and my sur- 
prise after telling her where I had been, to hear 
her exclaim, " Why, I sent that request to the 
meeting." She conversed with me, and prayed 
with me, but still the load remained ; but, after 
leaving me alone for a few minutes, the thought 
came like a flash to my mind, " Your friends, 
your pastor, and your wife, have conversed with 
you, have urged you, and prayed, and done all 
they could for you ; surely you have a duty to 
perform yourself. I immediately fell upon my 
knees and prayed for mercy and for acceptance, 
and when I arose I was the happy man you see.' 
" I met him frequently afterwards, and always 
with pleasure and profit, his heart and hands 
engaged in every good word and work. Thus he 
continued until Thursday, the third of June, when 
by a sudden and sad calamity he was called home 
to glory.' 7 



The following article, from the pen of Mr. C. 
A. Richardson, will give one a very good idea of 
the manner in wdiich the meeting is conducted. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 165 

It also contains a number of interesting facts, and 
we insert it entire : 

Friday j December 17, 1858. — We enter the 
chapel, which is a small, neat, brick building, and 
pass to the second story, where the meeting is 
held. It is nearly time for commencing. The 
room will seat from one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred. The doors are so arranged as to open 
and shut noiselessly, and the aisles are thickly 
carpeted, preventing, as far as possible, any noise 
from the footsteps of late comers. The chapel 
is about half full. A well-known deacon of a 
Congregational church in the suburbs of Boston 
acts as leader, this morning. The exercises are 
introduced w 7 ith singing the hymn commencing, 

" Blessed is the man who shuns the place 
Where sinners love to meet. ' ' 

The voices blend finely, and one begins to feel 
that it is good to be here. A well-known broth- 
er offers fervent prayer. The leader reads the 
first Psalm, and, in brief comments upon it, s'ays 
that when he had charge of a Sabbath-school he 
used to request all the scholars to commit this 
Psalm perfectly to memory. Another hymn is 
sung. The leader reads five requests for prayer : 
one asking the prayers of the meeting for an un- 
converted young lady, just gone to New York, 
to engage in the festive scenes of Christmas; 
another for the town of G-ranby, and still another 



166 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

for a blessing upon the town of Littleton. Dr. 
Jenks, the well-known editor of the Comprehen- 
sive Commentary, in his clear, stentorian voice, 
offers prayer, remembering especially the re- 
quests that have been read. Meantime, persons 
have continued to come in noiselessly, till the 
room is very nearly full. Another request is 
read, asking prayer for an unconverted husband. 
Brief remarks are made by a venerable clergy- 
man. Another brother remarks that fifteen thou- 
sand persons are engaged in Boston, this morning, 
in dealing out intoxicating drinks to their fellow 
men. Was not a remedy for this terrible evil an 
important thing to pray for ? The chairman re- 
marks that, although this may well be referred to 
incidentally, yet'the great object of the meeting, 
it must be remembered, is to pray for the descent 
of the Holy Spirit. Another prayer is offered, 
and a hymn sung. 

An apparent stranger speaks of the Fulton-street 
Prayer-meeting in Xew York, and mentions the 
fact that it is composed mainly of strangers from 
all parts of the country, thus becoming a kind of 
religious exchange. He had heard it stated there, 
but a few mornings before, that twenty on board 
the receiving ship North Carolina, at Brooklyn, 
had recently been converted, and over one hun- 
dred, at a subsequent meeting on that vessel, 
stood up to express their anxiety for their souls. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 167 

The same brother, in illustrating the power of 
prayer, relates an incident that occurred under 
his own observation, in the family of an eminent 
teacher in the vicinity of New York. A little 
daughter, eight years old, a lovely child, was 
taken very ill. The physician despaired of her 
life. The speaker said it was agreed by various 
members of the family to pray earnestly, not 
simply that she might live, but that she might 
live to be a missionary. Some weeks afterward, 
he was in the same family, and found the little 
girl entirely recovered. He called her to him, 
and, in conversing with her, inquired if she 
loved Jesus. " Yes," said she : " I hope I gave 
my heart to him three days ago, and I am going 
to be a missionary." This little anecdote was 
related in a very interesting manner, and many 
eyes are moistened with tears. Half-past nine 
has now come, and it is time to close. It is an- 
nounced that beside a female prayer-meeting of 
half an hour, to follow immediately, and the 
" Business Men's Meeting," from twelve to one, 
there is also to be a special meeting in the same 
room, in the afternoon, from two o'clock to four. 
The exercises are closed by singing, 

" Jesus shall reign where'er the sun." 



Remember the Stranger. — A brother said that 
on Saturday night, as he was passing through 



168 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

Summer-street, on his way to a neighborhood 
prayer-meeting at the North End, he was accosted 
by a stranger, who asked him for money to buy 
something to eat. He at first refused, but some- 
thing in the manner of the mendicant arrested 
his attention. He plead that he had been at 
work, lost his wages, and walked thirty miles that 
day, with nothing to eat except a few crackers 
obtained at Dedham. Said the speaker, I told 
him he had spent his money for liquor. He con- 
fessed that he had. I told him I was going to 
meeting a considerable distance, but that if he 
would go with me I would try and do something 
for him afterward. It was very cold, but he said 
he would go. On the way, called in at a shop 
and got him something to eat. Talked with him 
about his soul. Stated his case at the meeting, 
and he was fervently remembered in several 
prayers. When opportunity was given, he rose 
with five or six others for prayers ; and also when 
those were requested to rise who were fully de- 
termined to serve the Lord, he stood up with 
three others. I took him, at the close of the 
meeting, to the Sailor's Home, to remain till Mon- 
day. Will you pray for him ? 



Answer to Prayer. — On Monday morning a 
paper was read, stating that on the previous 
Monday, prayers had been requested there for 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-HEETIXG. 169 

the conversion of a person then present, rejoic- 
ing in hope, and desiring publicly to express 
thanksgiving to God, and afford encouragement 
to Christians to pray for the impenitent. A few 
mornings since, an incident was mentioned of a 
physician in this city who recently was instru- 
mental in guiding a dying patient to Christ. 



Conversion of a Stable-Keeper. — At one of 
the meetings, a clergyman mentioned, among 
other classes to be made subjects for prayer, 
stable-keepers. In response to this, the next 
speaker said that a stable-keeper in Lowell, who 
had not been accustomed to regard the Sabbath, 
as he was driving about, one Sabbath morning, 
not long since, was so struck by the crowds of 
people entering a church, that he tied his horse 
and went in with the rest. He was considerably 
moved by the preaching, and the next morning 
called at the door of the minister, and placed five 
dollars in his hands, refusing to disclose his name. 
The man was subsequently converted ; and it was 
further stated that he has been instrumental in per- 
suading several engaged in a similar business to 
come in and habitually fill a pew in the church. 



Brought Back. — An influential person in 
Boston had withdrawn from his church and reli- 
gious institutions altogether. In a short time he 



170 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

dispensed with family prayer, and then with pri- 
vate devotion; finally he professed himself "free 
from restraint/ 7 and all religious obligation. He 
was called on by a friend, who kindly expos- 
tulated; pointed to his three little children, and 
asked what would be the natural effect of his 
present course upon their future well-being. 
Tears began to flow ; he confessed he was in 
error ; promised to retrace his steps, and seek 
immediately the good old paths of "righteous- 
ness and peace. 77 



The Power of the Grace of God. — A Mr. 

M went into one of the neighborhood 

meetings, and spoke as follows : " Four months 
ago, I was the most miserable man you ever 
knew. I was not fit to look upon, and I despised 
myself. I am thirty-six years old, and have not 
seen a sober Sabbath for thirty years. I began 
to drink when I was six years old, by going after 
liquor for my father. I used to drink out of the 
measure, so I was never sober. One night I had a 
dream. I dreamed that I died and went to the judg- 
ment, and was found on the left hand of the judge. 
I was ordered into another room to wait for sen- 
tence. A lady came into the room, took a card and 
wrote on it, saying, ' Give this to Jesus to-morrow, 
and he will take you to heaven. 7 I awoke troubled, 
and in great distress. My wife thought I was 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 171 

going to die. A few days after this, a lady came 
to see me, and asked me to go to a prayer-meet- 
ing with her. She was the same lady I saw in 

my dream, Miss S , the city missionary. I 

went, and was much troubled about my soul ; but 
it soon wore off, and I took to drinking again. I 
moved to the north part of the city. My little 
son was invited to go to the Sunday-school. He 
went, and when he came home I asked him where 
he had been. He said, to Sunday-school and to 
meeting in North-street. I told him I did not 
believe it, for there was no meeting in North- 
street. He said there was, and that they talked 
about Jesus there, and that it made him feel 
good. 'I want you to go, father.' This touched 
my heart, and I told him I would go. 1 had no 
clothes fit to wear, but I had a pair of overhauls, 
and an old ragged shirt, and I put them on and 
went. I stood up and told them I was a poor, 
miserable sinner, and asked them to pray for me ; 
and I prayed for myself. I had been drinking, 
but I knew what I was about. I signed the pledge 
that night, and I thank God I have kept it ever 
since. I never have had any desire to drink 
since ; God has taken the appetite away. I went 
home and prayed to God to have mercy on my 
soul, and in a few days I found peace. I felt that 
God had, for Christ's sake, forgiven my sins. 
The ladies came to see me, and furnished me 



172 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

with clothes, and wanted me to go to Sunday- 
school. I went, but did not know how to read, 
for I never went to school a day in my life. I 
did not know A from B, and began to learn my 
letters. In a short time I learned so fast they 
put me in the Testament. The teacher wanted 
me to learn two verses to repeat at the next Sab- 
bath-school Concert. I thought I had a great 
task, but I said I would, with the help of God ; 
and I did stand up and repeated four verses, and 
did not miss a word, for God helped me. I could 
not have done it myself; he helped me in every- 
thing. I was poor, and had not anything to eat 
for myself or family, and I prayed to God to 
send me something to eat. I went out, and when 
I came home my wife said some one had sent us 
a barrel of flour ; I told her it could not be for 
us. She said it was, and showed me the bill ol 
it. I never knew where it came from. You see 
how good Ggd is ; he has clothed me and fed me, 
and raised up friends for me. I now have plenty 
of work, and carry my money home into my 
family, while I used to spend.it for the worst of 
purposes. Now I am happy, and have a plenty. 
Now I can share my loaf with others poorer than 
myself, and I thank God I can do it. I thank him 
that he has lifted me out of the gutter, and out 
of the drunkard's grave. I mean to serve him 
all my days ; I thank God I can go to meeting 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 173 

every day. I have one hour for my dinner, and 
I take half of it to go to meeting to stand up for 
Jesus." 

This man has united with one of our evangel- 
ical churches. 



Conversion of a Man* in the Chapel. — A 
man about fifty years old, seeing the people going 
into the Old South Chapel, morning after morn- 
ing, said to himself, " What do they go there for, 
to pray and to sing, every morning ? " He thought 
that they had better be doing something else. 

One morning, as he was going by Spring-lane, 
he saw the people going into the chapel, men 
and women, and he thought he would go in for a 
few minutes. As soon as he entered the room, 
he felt that God was there ; he remained till the 
meeting was over, and left feeling that he was a 
great sinner. The next morning he went again, 
and heard them sing and pray. He felt that he was 
a lost sinner, and that there was no hope for him. 
He said to himself, what shall I do? He wept 
and cried to God for mercy. An invitation was 
given for all that desired prayer, or wished to 
have personal conversation, to go into the room 
below. He went in, in great distress, the tears run- 
ning down his cheeks. An invitation was given 
for all that desired prayer to rise. He stood up 
and said that he was a great sinner, and that 



174 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

there was no hope for him ; and sat down, cover- 
ing his face with his handkerchief. He wept 
aloud. All knelt down and prayed to God to 
have mercy upon this man, but he went from the 
meeting bowed down on account of his sins. 
The next morning he came to the meeting again, 
and was in the room' below, still bowed down 
under his sins. It seemed to him that he could 
not live. Four or five prayers were offered up 
to God, that He would have mercy on his soul. 
He gave his heart to Christ, and found peace to 
his soul. The next day he stood up at a prayer- 
meeting in Park-street upper vestry, and said, "I 
have found Jesus precious to my soul." He was 
full of love to Christ and to all men, and has 
been rejoicing in Christ his Saviour ever since. 
He is often heard in the neighborhood meetings 
relating what God has done for his soul, and in- 
viting others to come to Jesus. He is often in 
the Old South Chapel, and says that that meeting 
was the means of saving his soul from death. 



Instead of the Theatre, the Prayer-Meeting. 
— A young lady came into our neighborhood 
meeting in great distress. She had lost her child 
a short time before, and asked us to pray for her. 
Prayers were offered up for her, and she also 
prayed for herself. In a few days she was rejoic- 
ing in hope. She wrote to her sister, who lives in 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 175 

the British Provinces, what God had done for 
her soul. Soon after, her sister came to Boston, 
on a visit to see her friends, and to go to the 
theatre and other places of amusement. She met 
her sister, and told her how happy she was, trust- 
ing in Jesus her Saviour. She wanted her sis- 
ter to give her heart to Christ, that she might be 
happy ; but her sister told her that she did not 
want to hear about religion. " You will spoil 
my whole visit. I have come to Boston that I 
may go to the theatre and to concerts, and enjoy 
myself." — " Well," said the sister, with tears in 
her eyes, " I will pray for you." She then left 
her. In a day or two, she met her again, and all 
things had changed. She then wanted to talk 
about her souPs salvation, for the Lord had heard 
her prayer. They talked together about Jesus. 
They both knelt down, and in a few days the sister 
who came to Boston to attend the theatre found 
peace in believing in Christ her Saviour. She 
was so happy that she hardly knew what she was 
about, and before she went home she came with 
her sister into one of our neighborhood meetings. 
Her whole soul was filled with love to God. 

She has gone home to her friends, to tell them 
what great things the Lord has done for her soul. 



Striking Answer to PRAYER.-Answers to prayer 
are sometimes so striking and remarkable, that the 



176 OLD SOUTH prayer-meetim;. 

glory of God requires that they be made known 
to the Christian public. Our faith is so weak 
and inactive that it needs this encouragement: 
and for this very purpose, we may suppose, the 
Hearer of Prayer often grants full and speedy 
answers. 

A case of this kind recently occurred in New 
York, with the circumstances of which the 
writer is intimately acquainted. It is the con- 
version of a young man, a student in New 
York University, who, though a son of pious 
parents, was at a distance from them, and ex- 
posed to all the temptations of city and college 
life. Three brothers, older than himself, mem- 
bers of churches, and residing in that city, often 
conversed with him on the subject of religion, 
and urged his immediate attention to his soul's 
salvation. He gave no evidence of heeding the 
admonition, but seemed more and more averse to 
the whole subject. The solicitude of the brothers 
increased, and one of them requested prayers for 
him at the morning prayer-meeting in Mr. 
Beecher's chapel, in Brooklyn. This was on Mon- 
day morning, and during the same week the 
young man and two college companions were 
walking the streets of New York, and called at 
an oyster saloon for refreshments. While await- 
ing their preparation, conversation turned upon 
the recent conversion of a fellow-student; and 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 177 

one of them remarked, in a casual manner, that 
he supposed ///('//"'ought to become Christians 
some time," to which another replied, " Yes, and 
if some time, why not now?' 7 Each acknowl- 
edged the importance oi' tin's question, and con- 
fessed to some solicitude lest the presenl favora- 
ble opportunity should pass unimproved. Their 
conversation grow more and more personal and 
serious. The Holy Spirit touched their hearts, 
impressed them deeply with a sense of their lost 
condition, and placed before them with groat 
clearness the sacrifice, of Christ, and the claims 
oi' bis womlrous love. Without leaving their 
Beats, and I think without tasting their refresh- 
ments, they solemnly resolved to give their hearts 
to Christ. They left the saloon, and sought the 
Counsel and prayers of Christian friends, and 
were soon rejoicing in hope. Two of them have 
made a public profession of religion, and the 
other probably will soon. 



The Prayer of Faith. — A lady had been 
praying I'ov her busband for seventeen years, 
ever since she was married : and since this revival 
commenced, Bhe bas, at the meetings, requee 

prayers a. great many times. At last, God 

afflicted him, and took from bim a beloved daugh- 
ter, who was his idol. Ee then fell as if God 
spoke to him: and he said to himself, "This will 

12 



178 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 

not do ; I must attend to the concerns of my 
soul; 77 but he did not come to a decision. His 
wife, fearing his seriousness might wear off, said 
to a lady that was stopping with her, " I wish 
some one would ask my husband to a neighbor- 
hood meeting. 77 The reply was, "I will call on 
Mr. and ask him to go with him.' 7 He in- 
vited him to go, and he went. It is the custom 
in those meetings to ask any one who may desire to 
be prayed for, or have anything to say, to rise. 
This man arose and said, " I am a stranger to the 
most of you, a stranger to God, and a stranger 
to that religion you profess. Pray for me, that I 
may be brought to Christ. 77 Two of the brethren 
prayed with him, and they appeared to enter into 
the very holiest of holies, and then God heard 
and answered prayer. While in that room, he 
gave his heart to the Saviour, and he went home 
that night and erected the family altar. He has 
been praising God and standing up for Jesus 
ever since. 



During the month of January, 1858, Rev. 
Phineas Stowe, having attended a funeral of a 
girl at what is known at the North End of Bos- 
ton as " The Globe Dance-Hall, 77 a notoriously 
bad place, asked the proprietor for permission to 
hold a prayer-meeting there. To the astonish- 
ment of Mr. Stowe, permission was granted, and 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 179 

the hall was opened every day for religious meet- 
ings. The Holy Spirit was present, and the 
place became one of deep solemnity. The wife 
of the proprietor of the hall was soon hopefully 
converted, and many others were subsequently 
brought to the knowledge of the truth. Among 
them w#s a man in middle life, who had been for 
many years a very intemperate man, and who had 
been a door-keeper at the dance-hall. He related 
his experience at the Old South Chapel. The edi- 
tor of this book requested him to place it upon 
paper. He did so, and it is inserted below in his 
own words : 

Boston, March 15, 1859. 
I am now in my thirty-fifth year, and am three 
weeks old in Christ. I have had warnings, year 
after year; but I heeded not. I have letters from a 
poor, praying mother. She would write a few 
lines about the folks, and then she would say, 
" 0, Elias, put your trust in God; for time is 
short, and you don't know how soon death will 
overtake you. The way you are going on, you 
will hasten your poor mother to her long home. 
How can I die and know that the only child I 
have in the world must be parted from me for- 
ever? Do seek Christ, and go to heaven with me." 
I would read a part of the letter, and then hand 
it to my wife, and tell her she might read the rest 
of it. My heart was so full, I could not read. I 



180 OLD SOUTH PKAYER-MEETIXG. 

would then go to the rum-shop, and there stay and 
drink ; and so I went on, year after year, till I 
became a drunkard. 

About four months ago, God began to call for 
me more than ever. When going along the 
streets, I would look at myself, and then at all 
around, and think it will be but a few days before 
I shall have to bid adieu to all, and then, 0, my 
mother, what shall I do? — and then to the rum- 
shop I would go. I went on in this way, till one 
morning my boy went through the room, singing, 

" My father 's a drunkard, but I am not to blame." 

I had not heard this before, and I thought he 
had made it up for me. I tried to speak, and 
tell him to stop, but could not, and so to the rum- 
shop I went. But those words went with me, 

" My father 's a drunkard, but I am not to blame." 

January 23, Kev. P. Stowe held a prayer-meet- 
ing at Globe Hall. I thought I would go, for I 
had not been to church for five years. After get- 
ting full of rum, I went, thinking to have some 
fun. But it was no fun to me ; it seemed that 
they were all talking to me. Time began to seem 
short; everything I ever did came up in my 
mind, and I began to weep, and thought I must 
die at the close of the meeting. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 181 

Mr. Stowe said, " If there is any one here that 
wants to take the temperance pledge, I will ad- 
minister it." I rose and said I would. I thought 
then, if I could only get rum out of me, and feel 
as in former years, I should be happy. But it 
was not so. Those mother's prayers and a long- 
eternity were in my mind. And then I would 
think of what my little boy would say when he 
would bring my rum to me, " Father, don't drink 
it ; you know it hurts you, and by and by I shan't 
have any father's knee to sit on." I felt as though 
I had no friend on earth or in heaven. I went to 
meeting every day for four weeks, but did not 
pray. I thought I had got to begin at the time 
I first began to sin, and repent of every one 
separately ; and I could see so many, that I 
thought that God would not forgive them all. I 
lived in this way till the night of February 22. 
While asleep I dreamed I was to work around the 
cars, and a man said, " Don't go there ; they will 
kill you!" I looked around and saw guns pointed 
at me. I could not find anything to get behind, 
so I fell on the ground, and that waked me up. I 
then thought of the many invitations that the 
people of God had given me to flee froni the 
wrath to come, and I heeded not, and how quick 
I dropped when they told me in my dream they 
would shoot me. I got out of bed and began to 
pray to God to forgive my sins ; and when I gave 



182 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

t 

myself up to God, he did forgive my sins, and I 
am now praising his holy name. 

I have a whole stack of mother's prayers, 
and now I like to read her letters. 



The communication inserted below is very 
interesting, and it is inserted entire : 

Conversion at the Inquiry Meetings. — About 
a year ago, when inquiry meetings were held 
daily, at the close of the morning meetings at 
the chapel, I had the pleasure of being present 
at many of those interesting and profitable sea- 
sons, where, all reserve, for the time, being 
thrown off, we could speak freely to the anxious 
inquirers, who came there, heart-burdened, but 
hoping, trusting that the Holy Spirit would, 
through the mouth of some brother, speak peace 
to their troubled souls, and lead them, from the 
darkness in which they were blindly groping, to 
the marvellous light and glory, which He alone 
can shed abroad in the heart. 

Theye we could pour out our whole hearts in 
prayer for each individual who desired it, and 
wrestle with God for his blessing to descend up- 
on that soul, no matter what the outward form, 
semblance, or characteristic. 

At one of these meetings, my eye fastened up- 
on a young lady, who had come in. I felt very 
anxious to know whether she loved the precious 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 183 

Saviour, the glorious Redeemer, and felt con- 
strained to speak to her, although an entire 
stranger. 

I went to her, and said, " My friend, can you 
say, with David, ' My heart is fixed, trusting in 
the Lord'?" She said, she could not. I asked 
her if she wished to be a Christian. She said, 
she did. I asked her if she would like to be 
prayed for. , She answered, yes. 

I remarked to her that we did not think that 
going forward for prayers would save the soul, 
but that it was a very appropriate way to ex- 
press the desire to become a Christian. I then 
asked her if she would go forward, and be con- 
versed with, and prayed for. 

She readily assented, and went with me to a 
front seat, where we continued our conversation. 

I said to her, " I want you to look directly to 
Jesus, and say to him, from the inmost depths 
of your heart, 

* Just as I am, •without one plea, 
Save that thy blood was shed for me, 
And that thou bid'st me'come to thee, 
0, Lamb of God, I come, I come.' " 

She burst into tears, exclaiming, with broken 
heart, " 0, I am such a sinner!" I saw the big 
tear fall upon her dress, and said, u You are just 
the one whom Jesus came to save, for he came 
to save that which was lost." 



184 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING, 

She knelt down to pray. At first she did not 
kneel, until I touched her, and asked her if she 

would not do so. This she did very readily, and 
I felt encouraged to take her in the arms of faith, 
and carry her to Jesus. 

Prayer was offered for her — yes, and an- 
swered, immediately. We rose from our knees. 
1 asked her if she had given her heart to Jefi 
She answered, unhesitatingly, "Ye»." 1 asked 
her if she could now go on her way rejoicing. 
Her reply was, " Yes," and a brother afterwards 
remarked to me that she left the room with a 
smile upon her face. 

I saw her, some weeks afterward, and inquired 
how she was progressing spiritually. She said 
she had not had a doubt. 

At the time of the anniversaries, in May, in 
course of conversation with Rev. Pr. Chickering, 
of Portland, whose church she had formerly 
attended, she related to him some portions of 
her religious experience. She had heard so 
much of doubting in the remarks of professing 
Christians, that she feared there might be some- 
thing wrong in her experience, as she had no 
doubts. That godly minister (0, that there 
w r ere more like him, to encourage the young con- 
verts!) remarked, "It is not necessary, in order 
to be a Christian, to have doubts. 77 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 185 

I have seen her, from time to time, during the 
past year, and always with her face heavenward. 

A letter received a few days since from her 
will, perhaps, best conclude this record : 

Boston, March Sth, 1859. 

Dear Sir: „ 

I feel that I cannot write anything suitable for 
publication : but, hoping that you may draw forth 
some fact which may encourage some one who 
is still doubting, I send you these lines. 

I had been taught, from my youth, to pay due 
respect to things of a religious nature ; -to read 
my Bible, to attend Sabbath-school, to repeat the 
prayers which had been taught me ; and, as I grew 
older, to express my petitions to God in language 
of my own. But it was too frequently, alas ! the 
mere utterance of words with little meaning, for- 
getting that I was addressing Him upon whom 
we are dependent for all our blessings, and who 
has suffered so much for us, that we might be saved. 
About two years and a half ago, I first became 
interested in the subject of religion, while attend- 
ing Dr. Chickering's church, in Portland, being at 
that time a member of Mrs. Chickering's Sab- 
bath-school class. One of the first things which 
drew my attention to the subject was the Chris- 
tian example of my teacher, whose inward light 
seemed to shine forth in all her acts and words. 



186 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 

After my removal to Boston, I lost my interest, 
for a while. But, last spring, I attended several 
meetings at the Old South Chapel, where I heard 
many tell what the Lord had done for their 
souls. 

One morning, an old lady who sat next me, 
asked me if I loved my Saviour. She told me she 
should pray for me. All day, I thought of' the 
old lady's question, and I trust my prayers that 
night were more earnest than ever before. The 
next morning I went to the inquiry meeting. 
Several gentlemen came to me, urging me to go 
forward, to be prayed for; but I was stubborn, 
and refused, and was tempted to go away : when 
you, my dear friend, came and talked with me, 
showing me the way so clearly, and repeating 
those lines, 

" Just as I am," &c. &c, 

that even then, when my heart was filled with 
so much wickedness, I began to hope that even 
I might be pardoned. 

When I arose, after several had prayed for us, 
I felt that my sins were forgiven. As I walked 
home, that morning, my step was lighter, and I 
felt that my burden, like Christian's, had fallen off. 
Many told me that it would last but a short time ; 
but the peace that came to me on that April 
morning still remains. May I ever continue 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 187 

steadfast in the faith ! May I ever be grateful to 
you, who was instrumental in leading me to 
Christ; and may you be the means of pointing 
to others the way to heaven ! 

Will you pray for me ? May I always be a 
Christian, not only in name, but in thought, word, 
and deed. 



The following communication has been sent to 
to the editor : 

A Husband Converted. — For some years I 
had been laboring and praying for the conversion 
of my dear husband, but as yet saw no hope of 
his giving his heart to the Saviour. Often, when 
I tried to converse with him about his soul's sal- 
vation, he would turn the subject with a playful 
joke ; sometimes his reply would be, " I always 
try to do about right, and I do not think that I 
am going to be lost while I do." My faith and 
hope were beginning to fail me, when, taking up 
a daily newspaper, I saw a report of the week- 
day prayer-meeting in Boston. Surely, thought 
I, the millennium is at hand, and my dear one will 
now be brought into the fold of Christ. I prayed 
and labored for him with renewed hope and 
courage. On Saturday evening, the sixth of last 
March, I addressed him with all the earnestness 
that my love for his immortal soul could prompt, 
to put off the day of repentance no longer. That 



188 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

evening he expressed for the first time a hearty 
desire to become a Christian. The following 
week I urged him to attend the prayer-meeting 
at the Old South Chapel. But he could not leave 
his business, and he would not be seen, as he af- 
terwards said, going to a prayer-meeting in the 
day-time. The next Sabbath, he seemed much 
affected by the services of the day. Anxious 
that his impressions might be deepened, I asked 
him to go to the prayer-meeting in the evening. 
But he declined, sajnng he did not like to leave 
me alone. I then said to him, " When will you 
attend to your souPs salvation ? Why do you 
put it off?" He quietly closed the book that he 
was reading, and said, " I do wish you would not 
talk to me ; it does no good;" and then resumed 
his reading. I said no more, but went to the 
mercy-seat and left his case with God. This was 
the last time that the subject of religion was un- 
pleasant to him. The next morning, when he 
first awoke, he told me he wanted to seek the 
Saviour until he found him, and that he should 
go to the prayer-meeting that day. He went, and 
also on the following day, without much apparent 
change in his feelings. I feared that his inter- 
est might wear away ; and on Wednesday morn- 
ing, after he had gone in town, I penned a little 
note, requesting prayers in his behalf. I went to 
the Old South Chapel, and, as the people were 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 189 

passing into the morning prayer-meeting, I 
handed the note to a gentleman, and went away. 
When I arrived at home, I found him there be- 
fore me. He met me at the door, and, with tears 
streaming down his face, said, " 0, what must I 
do ? I am undone ! I am entirely broken down ! 

What must I do ? Rev. has been in 

and talked and prayed with me, but no comfort 
came to my soul." He told me that he had been 
to the noonday prayer-meeting, and it was there 
he was led to feel deeply his lost condition with- 
out a Saviour. All his former trust in his own 
goodness had failed him, and he had no hope left. 
He was almost in despair. I asked him if there 
was a request of a wife for the conversion of her 
husband read at that meeting. " 0, yes,' 7 said 
he; " was it you who sent that note ? It was that 
request, and the prayer that followed, which com- 
pletely broke me down." He said he was wil- 
ling to give up everything for Christ. I told 
him that as Christ had long been waiting with 
outstretched arms to receive him, he was ready 
now, and there was no reason why his peace 
should not be immediately made with God. We 
knelt down together, and, after offering a fervent 
petition for him, he followed mo in prayer, mak- 
ing a full surrender of himself and all that ho 
possessed to Christ. When we arose from our 



190 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

knees, his whole countenance beamed with light 
and joy that was dawning upon his soul. 

"Why," said he, "I believe the burden is gone. 
I think Christ has accepted me ; I am happy, 
very happy;" and so he continued constantly, as 
he said, growing brighter and brighter. That 
night our family altar was erected, and from it 
ascended the incense of gratitude from hearts 
overflowing with joy and thanksgiving. The next 
morning found him anxious to know what he 
could do for Christ. He went to his impenitent 
friends, and told them what Christ had done for 
him, and enjoining them to accept that Saviour 
who had given him such joy and peace. Nor 
were his labors unblest. He had the joy of see- 
ing some souls through his instrumentality 
brought to yield themselves to Jesus. He was 
anxious to do his duty, whatever it might be; and 
with such alacrity did he take up every cross, 
that they seemed joys rather than crosses. 

On the first Sabbath in May, he stood up and 
professed Christ before men, uniting himself with 
his followers, and with them partaking of his 
body which was broken, and his blood that was 
spilled for the remission of sins. It was a season 
of great joy to his soul. 

It was his first and last communion season on 
earth. In one short month, on the third of June, 
he was suddenly, without a moment's warning, 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 191 

called home. But he was ready to go ; his time 
for labor was short, but he had accomplished 
much. He had often expressed his readiness 
to go. Death had no terror for him; he had no 
doubts. His faith and trust were undimmed. 
And while we, for the suddenness of our loss, 
were for a time enveloped in such confused, im 
penetrable darkness, all the glory and brightness 
of the new Jerusalem burst upon his astonished 
vision, and, clothed in the pure robe of right- 
eousness that Christ had in waiting for him, he 
was casting his crown, not wholly starless, at the 
Saviour's feet, and rejoicing over all the way in 
which God had led him — that way which seems 
so dark and mysterious to us. Yet we would 
trustingly say, " Not my will, but thine, Lord, 
be done." 



A Daughter and Niece Converted. — A lady, 
with a daughter and niece, residing in a suburban 
village, purposed, one morning, to go to the city 
shopping. 

The daughter and niece, wishing to attend the 
meeting at the chapel, walked some distance in 
order to procure conveyance by which they 
might reach the city in season for that meeting. 

At its close they were invited to the inquiry 
meeting. Several of the brethren conversed with 
them, and when the mother and aunt returned 



192 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

from shopping, she found her daughter and niece 
sitting at the feet of Jesus, rejoicing in hope. 



A Drunkard Reclaimed. — At one of our morn- 
ing meetings, some months since, an intemperate, 
wretched-looking man, poorly clad, was seen to 
enter. 

He was truly a pitiable object. He had buried 
wife and child, and, to all human appearance, was 
himself well-nigh buried in that grave in which 
drunkenness, profane swearing, and Sabbath- 
breaking, had almost placed him. 

But he was not buried so deep as to be unseen 
by that God who has this year wrought such 
wonders among us. 

He was leading him in a way he knew not. 
He caused his attention to be arrested by the 
notices at the door, to read them carefully, and 
then to enter. 

The first meeting being closed, He put it into 
the heart of a brother to invite him to the inquiry 
meeting below. The attention of two or three 
brethren was called to his case. They remained 
with him, spent a season in prayer for and con- 
versation with him, and then he prayed for him- 
self. And such a prayer! It could have pro- 
ceeded only from a broken and contrite heart. 
Such brokenness of heart ; such contrition of 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 193 

spirit; such a sense of his guilt in the sight of his 
heavenly Father ; such a realizing sense of his 
lost condition ; such a sense of dependence upon 
God alone for help ; such recognition of the fact 
that God would be just should He consign him to 
endless woe, were manifested in that prayer, that 
the brethren with him could but feel confident that 
he had given his heart to Jesus ; and that God, for 
Christ's sake, had pardoned his many and aggra- 
vated sins, and received him into His arms of love, 
which are ever open to greet the returning 
wanderer. 

The next day he was at the Park-street Church 
neatly clothed, and as we trust in his right mind. 

We have seen him from time to time since, and 
have reason to believe that the work so auspi- 
ciously begun still continues ; and we cite it here 
for the consolation and comfort of those who feel 
that they are too far sunken in sin to be reached, 
even by the everlasting arms. 

It should be. stated, however, that at the out- 
set he commenced, in the house of his aunt, 
family prayer, and continued priest of the house- 
hold till toward the end of the year. He then 
" lost his confidence," partly from lack of em- 
ployment, and yielded, two or three times, to the 
tempter, strong drink. Since the new year com- 
menced, he has kept free from liquor, and has 
recently signed the pledge to abstain from all 
13 



194 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

that can intoxicate, and promises to exert his 
whole influence in the cause of temperance. He 
had never before signed the pledge. 

Conversion of a Sister. — A young man came 
into the Old South Morning Prayer-Meeting, and 
there God blessed him, and led him to inquire 
what he should do to save -souls. He had a sis- 
ter about sixteen years old, who lived in the 
country, about forty miles from the city, and he 
wrote to his mother to let her (the sister) come to 
the city for a few days. He felt as if Jesus of Naz- 
areth was passing by, and that if she were here, 
she might find him. She came, and went to 
meeting with her brother, and in a few days be- 
gan to feel that she was a great sinner. One 
evening she went forward for prayers, and re- 
turned home in great distress. She took off her 
bonnet and threw herself on the bed, and cried 
aloud for mercy. The lady of the house came 
in and talked and prayed with her, but her 
distress increased. She read the Bible with her, 
and prayed again, but relief did not come. She 
(the sister) said, " I cannot live until morning un- 
less I find peace." It was almost midnight, and 
when the lady asked her if she should call her 
brother, she said, " Yes." The brother came in- 
to the chamber, and there poured out his heart to 
God, that He would have mercy on her ; and in 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 195 

the stillness of the night, Jesus spoke peace and 
pardon to her soul. She gave her heart to God 
that night, and the next morning she was happy, 
trusting in Jesus. 

The brother sent a letter home to his mother, 
informing her that his sister had become a new 
creature in Christ. Her friends came to see her 
mother, and to hear what God had done for her 
daughter. They were all struck with astonish- 
ment. Some wept, some rejoiced, and others 
prayed. Soon after the young lady went home, 
her friends went to see her, and she told them 
that Jesus had forgiven all her sins, and she was 
happy, trusting in him. The news went far and 
near. They had no minister, but they had meet- 
ings at her mother's house. Soon the rooms of 
the house were too small, and they went to the 
vestry. God poured out his Spirit, and many 
inquired what they should do to be saved. 
Others were rejoicing in the hope of eternal life. 
The work spread all round, and there were in that 
church, and in other churches near, more than one 
hundred and twenty brought into the fold of 
Christ. Thus we see what God can do through 
the influence of his Spirit. The young man is 
now studying for the ministry. 



Rev. Phineas Stowe, who was mainly instru- 
mental in originating the meeting in Globe Hall, 



196 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETIXG. 

stated, in the Old South Chapel, that he had no 
doubt that the movement had been commenced 
in answer to the prayers offered up in the chapel. 
Eternity alone will show how many meetings 
have been commenced, how many conversions 
have occurred, and how many revivals have pro- 
gressed, which may be traced, either directly or 
indirectly, to this morning meeting. 

Tammany Hall, an adjunct of the National 
Theatre, another place where vile persons had 
been accustomed to assemble, was also opened 
for religious meetings. Shortly after this, the 
National Theatre was secured, under the auspices 
of the Young Men's Christian Association, for 
Sunday evening lectures. Rev. Messrs. Eddy, 
Kirk, Dadman, and others, have there preached 
the Gospel to many who heard the news of sal- 
vation by Christ for the first time. 



A Complete Surrender! — At the close of a 
noon-day prayer-meeting, when the house was 
nearly emptied, a brother requested the writer 
to pause for an introduction to a gentleman whom 
he had often seen at this meeting, and who, by 
his sober countenance, he supposed was a profess- 
or of religion. On receiving a negative to that 
question, he was asked relating to his condition. 
" I have been to these meetings/' he replied, 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 197 

three or four months, hardly missing a day, and I 
desire to be a Christian." 

"Has it ever occurred to you that desireis not 
choice? Has not the Saviour sought you every 
day, and offered pardon and salvation ? Have 
you not as often withheld your heart, thus refus- 
ing to accept the mercy so dearly bought?" 

A new thought entered his mind. It flashed 
upon him that he had only desired what he should 
have chosen, and thus his will was antagonistic 
to God's method of saving souls, and thus every 
day he was defeating the divine plan whereby 
his soul might be recovered from sin to the bet- 
ter life. He saw the truth, and admitted it — he 
saw his inconsistency. He was then asked, "Do 
you now accept of Christ as your Saviour, and 
rely solely upon him, renouncing all dependence 
upon self, and trust wholly in his righteousness? " 

" Yes, I do," he promptly replied. 

Then, I said, " You wish us to understand that, 
without waiting longer for something to come to 
you, you do, by an act of faith, accept Jesus 
Christ as your Sanctifier, Saviour, and Redeemer; 
and, casting yourself upon him, you do appropriate 
# him by faith as such, and trust yourself for time 
and eternity in his hands?" 

11 Yes, I do," was the reply. 

" Will you now consecrate yourself to him for- 



198 OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 

ever, and commit yourself to his service, whatever 
may betide you, — and shall we witness to it?" 

"Yes!" 

Several prayers were then offered, one of 
which was from his own lips, confirming all the 
above. 

He has since made declaration in public meet- 
ing of the Saviour's grace in his behalf. 



A young man, residing at Chelsea, rose for 
prayer at the noon-day meeting (Monday, about 
the 10th March, 1859), in response to an invitation. 
He was conversed with after meeting. Said he 
had been anxious a week. He was directed as 
in the case above. He expressed himself willing 
to remain and be prayed for, and to pray for 
himself. He did so ; three brethren tarried, and 
on the spot he consecrated himself to Christ, as 
he confessed to many, a few days after. He has 
been frequently present at the meetings, and 
with joy depicted on his countenance. 

It is worthy of remark, that in nearly every 
instance, when persons have arisen to request 
prayer for themselves, they have found the % 
Saviour, and often afterwards have risen in the 
same place to give in their testimony to the 
saving and pardoning grace of our God. 



OLD SOUTH PRAYER-MEETING. 199 

The incidents connected with the Old South 
Chapel Prayer-Meeting might be greatly multi- 
plied ; but the foregoing must suffice. The 
editor is indebted to the Puritan Recorder, Con- 
gregationalist, Watchman and Reflector, and many 
private individuals, for valuable facts which have 
been inserted. 

We should have stated, in the proper place, 
that the ladies have been accustomed to remain 
for prayer for a half-hour, at the close of the 
morning meeting. These seasons have been 
often deeply interesting, and it is believed that 
the prayers of pious mothers, wives, and sisters, 
offered up in that place, have been answered. 

This little book is given to the public in the 
hope that it may do good jn more than one 
direction. The success which has attended the 
Old South Chapel Prayer-Meeting may induce 
some persons to commence similar meetings. 
The incidents related may serve to strengthen 
the faith of those who are inclined at times to 
waver and doubt, and may incite others to labor 
more earnestly and faithfully for the conversion 
of souls. The Lord bless it to every one who 
may read its pages I 



27 .Inly 1S 59. ] 



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" So pervaded with the deepest sentiment of Christian faith and 
love, so benignant in temper, so beautiful in style, so tender in their 
entreaties, so careful in their thought, these discourses may be said to 
be in some sense worthy of the sacred theme they open. As we read 
on, we seem to be taken into the very air of Gethsemane, and the 
holy stillness of the 'upper chamber.'" — Prof. Huntington's Reli- 
gious Magazine. 

"A fit sequel to 'The Friends of Christ' and 'Christ a Friend.' 
We know of no books of devotion better adapted to quicken and 
elevate the soul in its appreciation of the Gospel, and in its personal 
communings with the Saviour. Would that the heavenly spirit these 
volumes breathe were everywhere manifest in the churches!" — 
JV. Y. Independent. 

" Dr. Adams never did a better thing. Some of the meditations 
are exceedingly beautiful. It will win a way to every Christian heart. 
Among its good offices, it would make a valuable and tasteful gift- 
book."— JV. Y. Evangelist. 



BOOKS PUBLISHED BY J. E. TILTON & COMPANY. 



ROMANISM IN AMERICA. 

By Rev. Rufus TV*. Clark, Author of " Lectures to Young Men/' 
&c. Price 63 cents. 

The successful efforts of the Catholics to drive the Bible from the 
public schools of the city of New York, and the recent attempts to 
accomplish the same object in the schools of our own city, render this 
book peculiarly adapted to meet the present state of the public mind, 
and to arouse Americans to a true sense of the danger to the perpe- 
tuity cf our republican institutions from the emissaries of the Pope 
of Rome. The Boston Journal, in announcing this work, says : 

" We cordially welcome the appearance of a book by Rev. Rufus TV. 
Clark, of Brooklyn, N. Y., entitled 'Romanism in America/ as pre- 
eminently adapted to meet the present state of public feeling. This 
is no ■ sensation book/ but was written by one well known in this 
vicinity, and gives in concise and readable form a reliable account of 
the rise, progress, and present condition, of Catholicism in this coun- 
try ; and we recommend the perusal of its well-filled columns to all 
who are indulging the delusive idea that we are in no danger from the 
spread of Romanism, as well as to those who think that true republi- 
canism and papacy can nourish on the same soil." 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER. TAOK. 

I. — Origin and Progress op Romanism, 6 

II. — Fundamental Principles op Popery, 26 

III. — Principles of Popery, continued, 50 

IV. — Antagonism between Popery and Civil Freedom, .76 

V. — The Order of Jesuits, 105 

VI. — The Paganism of Popery, 131 

VII. — Persecuting Spirit of Romanism, 155 

VIII. — The Inquisition, 182 

IX. —The Bible in our Public Schools, ....... 220 

X. — The Bible in Public Schools, continued, .... 218 



BOOKS PUBLISHED BY J. E. TILTON & COMPANY. 



ANCIENT HARMONY REVIVED. 

Sixth Edition, Revised. Being a Selection of Choice Music, taken 
from old and approved authors. Published as originally written by 
Billings, Edson, Holden, Maxim, Ingalls, Goflf, Kimball, Reed, Swan, 
Wood, West, and others. Sixth Edition. Price 50 cents. $5 per 
dozen. 

'* This is a choice and rare collection, composed of the old favorite 
masterpieces of Church Music, used at the Old Folks' Concerts, and 
which were once universally employed in the conduct of Public and 
Private Worship. In the estimation of competent judges, they should 
have never been superseded and discarded. Their deep and solemn 
strains produced an impression which has lasted through an age, and 
when these pieces are properly sung now they not only wake up l old 
memories ' in the old folks, but produce the same effect on all classes 
as when executed a century ago. This is designed to be as complete 
a compilation of old music as practicable, and many rare old tunes 
are included which have not been inserted in any collection published 
during the last fifty years. The book has already passed through six 
editions." — Troy Daily Tirnes. 



THE SABBATH HYMN-BOOK. 

By Edwards A. Park, D. D., Austin Phelps, D. D., and Lowell 
Mason, Mus. Doc. 18mo. Sheep, Roan, Morocco, Morocco gilt, 
Morocco antique. 



THE SABBATH TUNE-BOOK. 

By Lowell Mason, Mus. Doc. Music 18mo, cloth. 

THE SABBATH HYMN AND TUNE BOOK. 

By Edwards A. Park, D. D., Austin Phelps, D. D., and Lowell 
Mason, Mus. Doc. 8vo. Cloth, Roan, Morocco, Morocco gilt, 
Morocco antique. 

vestry hymns. 

Adapted to Social Meetings and Family Worship. Selected from the 
Church Psalmody. Price 25 cents. 



BOOKS PUBLISHED BY J. E. TILTON & COMPANY. 

THE FRIENDS OF CHRIST IN THE NEW TES- 
TAMENT; and CHRIST A FRIEND. 

Discourses ey Nehe3iiah Adams, D. D. Price $1 each. 

" The beauty of style, tenderness of feeling, and richness of doc- 
trinal and experimental truth, which the Discourses display, are of 
high order. Some of the portraitures of character are exquisite, and 
the hand of the artist is visible in all." — iV. Y. Evangelist. 

" They enrich and adorn our Christian literature. AYe have to 
ascribe it to the fine creative talent of the preacher that these exam- 
ples of faith and love toward Christ are reproduced in the full power 
of their actual life and beauty." — N. Y. Journal of Commerce. 

" Greatly refreshed and strengthened have we been by the perusal 
of these Sermons. Fragrant with the gentle spirit of the Gospel, 
they are eminently fitted to mould and improve the character, while 
they inspire the earnest sentiments of devotion in the heart." — yen- 
York Observer. 

" We can suggest no book more appropriate than this to those who 
would supply themselves with a choice and fragrant alabaster box of 
religious instruction, or who would give such to their friends." — New 
York Independent. 

" Those who neglect to place this volume upon one of the selectest 
shelves of their library will miss doing justice to the most original, 
most affluent, and most useful volume of sermons which the Ameri- 
can press — at least, for a long time — has given to the world." — Bos- 
ton Conyrejationalist. 

LESSONS AT THE CROSS; 

Or, Spiritual Truths familiarly exhibited in their Relations 
to Christ. By Samuel Hopkins, AYith an Introduction by Rev. 
Dr. Blagden. Fourth edition. Price 62 cents. 

" This book we have had the privilege of having by our side for 
many months, and in all honesty we say that we have never yet seen 
the book that seemed so entirely to be the offspring of the most iiiti- 
mate and the highest order of Christian experience." — Springfield 
Republican. 

SONGS IN THE NIGHT; 

Or, Hymns for the Sick and Suffering. Compiled by Rev. A. C. 
Thompson. Fourth revised edition. Trice 62 cents. 

u It is just the thing which, next to the Bible, a pastor n 
leave in the chamber of affliction. It is a compendium of oon 
condensed from the best religious poetry, of a language atlluent beyond 
all others in works of piety." — Boston Recorder. 



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